Presentation and handout available at http://tinyurl.com/m8p4qbeTired of the same old summer reading? Maybe it’s time for an upgrade! In 2014, the Memphis Public Library & Information Center, along with the City of Memphis, unveiled its new Summer Program: Explore Memphis. With great community partners and an online badging system that gamified Summer Reading sign-ups to appeal to teenagers and young adults, customers of all ages had an amazing summer full of reading, STEAM programs, and free community events. This program will discuss the successes and hurdles that two Youth Services Librarians faced in developing this summer reading program redesign and will offer practical advice on how to incorporate these changes into future Summer Reading programs. Advice will be provided on how to market this to reluctant staff members, form valuable community partnerships and incorporate new technology into existing programs for those interested in making positive changes to their summer reading programs.
