Summer Reading: Support Reading

Sora is OverDrive's student app. Students in districts that use OverDrive can access the NCLS collection through the Sora app.

How to add North Country Library System to a Sora account

The New York State Library provides ReadSquared as an online/app based tracking option at no cost to libraries. You can provide it to patrons as a way to register for summer reading, log their books and track their progress toward goals and prizes. You can also use it on the back end to track your statistics and generate reports. You are not obligated to use ReadSquared, but it is available!

Here are some resources to help you make the best use of ReadSquared!

1. The online knowledgebase which provides answers to commonly asked questions, promotional tools, and specific instructions for all of the READsquared features. https://portal.readsquared.com/R2KB/default.aspx
2. A recorded demo that walks prospective libraries through a READsquared site as a participant and a site administrator.  Click here for a READsquared Demo.  If there are any libraries that would like to join a live demo or have further questions, they can email support@r2stg.zohosupport.com.
3. Librarians can create a test participant account at demo.readsquared.com to see the READsquared patron experience.  Remember, READsquared is highly customizable in both look, feel, and features.
4. Signing up for a READsquared site is easy at https://appcluster7.readsquared.com/signup.aspx?State=NY#! .
5. Individual library support is available anytime, free of charge at support@r2stg.zohosupport.com.

• Encourage children to choose their own reading materials
• Don't forget about audio!
• Make sure you have materials they want to read for fun
• Ask kids about their reading, and get excited about whatever they say! If a kid recommends a book to you, READ IT! It broadens your horizons, shows the child you respect their opinion, and gives you a jumping off point for building a relationship with that child
• Find ways to validate all reading - not just books but everyday reading like articles, instructions and websites. Kids who don't see themselves as readers might be doing plenty of reading, but adults are telling them it doesn't "count"
• Send them home with books to keep, when you can
• Think about going fine-free for children, to help remove barriers to access
  • If you have recently gone fine free, make sure families know about it! Your school librarians can help you spread the word

There has never been a better time to remove barriers to print library materials. If you're interested in going fine-free for children and want to know more, contact your consultant.

Scholastic Literacy Partnerships

Scholastic Grab and Go

First Book - marketplace provides books and other educational materials at low prices; the Book Bank makes limited quantities of books available by the case, for just the cost of shipping

Courtesy of Colleen Grezsik at Mexico, here are labels you can print and place on the back of bookmarks for kids to track their reading each week!