Cleveland Reads: Scoring Big in Summer Literacy
Cleveland Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Cleveland Public Library’s annual Cleveland Reads summer reading program was made larger and more successful than ever through a partnership with the Cleveland Browns Stay In The Game! Attendance Network. By working with the hometown football team, the Cleveland Public Library was able to amplify the mission of both organizations, inspiring more than 8,400 children to stay in school, improve their literacy skills, and lead brighter futures, all while having fun and showing Cleveland sports pride.
Challenge/Opportunity
The Cleveland Reads program addressed critical, interconnected challenges impacting Cleveland’s youth:
- Summer learning loss (“summer slide”)—a measurable decline in reading and academic proficiency during out-of-school months.
- Low literacy rates—with 66% of Cleveland adults functionally illiterate, intergenerational literacy barriers persist.
- Chronic absenteeism and academic disengagement—factors that impede progress toward reading proficiency and on-time graduation.
In partnership with the Cleveland Browns Stay In The Game! Attendance Network, Cleveland Public Library developed an engaging, literacy-focused initiative that sustains learning during summer months. By combining educational goals with the excitement of professional sports, the program fostered continuous reading engagement, supported family literacy, and strengthened lifelong learning habits.
Key Elements of Innovation
Cleveland Reads was structured as a points-based engagement system encouraging youth to read, think critically, and explore new ideas. Participants logged reading and activities online to earn points redeemable for prizes, promoting both literacy and digital engagement. Cleveland Public Library and the Cleveland Browns Stay In The Game! Attendance Network collaborated to align literacy and attendance goals through shared outreach and incentives. Points were earned by reading daily, attending library programs, and participating in the Cleveland Reads Book Boogie Kick-Off, an immersive event featuring games, skating, and family entertainment. The initiative uniquely integrated professional sports branding, technology, and literacy promotion, transforming traditional summer reading into a dynamic community movement that redefines library engagement.
Achieved Outcomes
Using Beanstack to track registrations and participation, Cleveland Public Library measured the impact of the Cleveland Reads. After the 8-week program, results included:
Registrations: 8,464
Minutes Read: 1,195,866
Challenge Completions: 1,120
Program Attendance: 8,526
Compared to 2024, registrations and attendance doubled, and challenge completions increased by over 35%, demonstrating substantial growth in engagement.
The collaboration with the Cleveland Browns Stay In The Game! Attendance Network strengthened community ties and introduced a youth-focused Cleveland Public Library card. Feedback from participants and staff highlighted excitement, motivation, and increased reading habits, confirming the initiative’s effectiveness in addressing summer learning loss and fostering literacy. We’re excited to continue to grow and build on this partnership to keep our youth engaged, focused, and working toward academic success.
Supporting Materials:
- FOX8 CLE: "Reading Fun With The Browns"
- ABCNews5 Cleveland: "Cleveland Public Library to kick off summer reading program Friday"
