The County Library's Magna Branch is located in a low-income community with a large number of kids who read below grade level who are often raised by single moms or working parents, with limited daycare options. School principals expressed concern about the potential for summer slide and we saw this as an opportunity to support parents and to help kids who need continued help through the summer to have a productive, fun and safe experience.

Key elements were a collaboration with Salt Lake County Library, Granite School District, Salt Lake County Youth Services, United Way and Salt Lake County Aging Services. The county library facilitated additional partnerships such as Volunteers of America, Aspen Ridge Counseling and the Webster Center – a digital citizenship non-profit, to help with enrichment programs. This collaboration provides an enhanced opportunity to create new partners and help the youth who visit the county library.

Through the school partnership and six-week summer program, we will be able to compare test scores and assess whether the program helped the kids maintain or improve their literacy skills. We anticipate a reduction in negative behaviors at the county library, as well as a new appreciation for the county library and the services we offer. To reduce personal hunger issues, which impact behavior, we are feeding the kids breakfast, lunch and a light snack.