What is America Reads?
- Students attend 30 minute read-aloud sessions with a tutor.
- Students earn prizes.
- Program dates: June 3 - July 25, 2024.
- Registration deadline: May 17, 2024.
- Literacy celebrations: July 30 - August 1, 2024.
America Reads is a FREE program that runs from June 3 - July 25, 2024 at all Weber County Library locations and is dedicated to helping school-aged children improve their reading and comprehension skills. Available session dates and times: Monday - Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. (*Ogden Valley Branch: Thursdays only, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). Registration deadline is May 17, 2024 (space is limited and registration is required).
At the end of the program, there will be a literacy celebration (July 30 - August 1, 2024) with a magic show included, where students will earn a certificate of completion.
By May 29, you will be notified by receiving a postcard by mail confirming your child(ren)’s date and time they will attend their weekly reading sessions. If you don’t receive a postcard by May 30, please contact us: 801-337-2646.
America Reads Benefits
- Gives children a solid foundation in literacy.
- Assists students in becoming proficient readers.
- Enhances the reading proficiency and self-esteem of kids.
- Gives kids the one-on-one attention they require to excel in school.
- Promotes a positive outlook on learning and reading.
Literacy Celebration Dates:
North Branch: Tuesday, July 30, 10:30 a.m.
Southwest Branch: Tuesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m.
Ogden Valley Branch: Wednesday, July 31, 10:30 a.m.
Main Library: Wednesday, July 31, 6:30 p.m.
Pleasant Valley Branch: Thursday, August 1, 6:30 p.m.
Volunteers Needed!
Weber County Library is looking for reading tutors to work one-on-one with elementary school children. A one-time training is required for all tutors to attend prior to participating (see “Volunteer Now” page).
Registration deadline: April 29, 2024.
Why was America Reads founded?
In 1996, President Clinton launched the nationwide program America Reads with the goal of ensuring that every kid could read proficiently by the end of the third grade after research had shown that 40% of children were not reading at a basic level. Since that announcement, each summer, the Weber County Library offers the one-on-one tutoring program. The America Reads program is open to all elementary school children in the Weber County area, and is specially designed for children who may need additional help with reading.
Research has shown that children who cannot read at grade level by the third grade are unlikely to ever overcome this disadvantage. However, research has also shown that intervention during the first eight years of a child’s life can have a significant positive effect on reading skills.
With now over 1,000 students participating each year, the Weber County Library America Reads program provides children with weekly 30 minutes reading sessions with trained volunteers for 8 weeks, during the months of June and July. Children are encouraged to add new words to their vocabulary, read for comprehension, and make use of the library’s many resources at every session. At the end of the tutoring program, students, families and volunteers enjoy a literacy celebration.
