Youth Services News Summer Reading Incentives

[Ami Jones]

We tried the dog tags with beads idea, and it bombed, big time. Summer is when we try to reach (and hook) the kids for whom reading is not intrinsically rewarding (yet), and that summer we lost a lot of those kids. The little toys, while irritating to parents, are what motivate the reluctant readers. We do give them a book and then a t-shirt when they turn in so many READOs.

In the past we have also offered a choice between a small prize or a raffle ticket towards a bigger prize. Those were popular, but I hated seeing the disappointed faces when I didn't draw their name. If you go that route, I highly recommend not doing the drawing in front of a crowd: video tape it and put it on your library's web site, after calling the winners.

Ami Jones
Youth Services Librarian
Alamogordo Public Library
(575) 439-4140 ext. 4157
Pronouns she/her
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Subject: Youth Services News Summer Reading Incentives

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Hello all,
This is my first summer reading, and I am trying to figure out what to do for incentives. Families are used to getting little prizes each week, but I know that doesn't promote intrinsic motivation or a passion for reading or learning in kids. I'm considering moving to weekly take-home craft and science kits along with free books at the beginning, middle, and end of summer for prizes.

What works for your summer reading incentives? Has anyone moved from cheap prizes to something else with success? I only have a couple weeks to submit my budget to Friends, so I'm trying to get all my prizes planned now.

Thank you,
Breanna

Breanna Voorhis
Youth Service Specialist
Carlsbad Public Library
101 S. Halagueno
Carlsbad NM 88220
575-885-6776
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