Texas Summer Reading Programs (1958-2015)

TSLAC sponsored the Texas Reading Club from 1958-2012, and hosted Texas Teens Read! from  2008-2012.
Read the overview articles published in the Texas Library Association's Texas Library Journal:

• 2008 Texas Reading Club Jubilee Celebration
• History of the Texas Reading Club 1958-2008
• Texas Teens Read!
   

Collaborative Summer Library Program Themes From 2013 to 2016

The Texas State Library joined joined the national Collaborative Summer Library Program in 2013.

Texas Reading Club (1958-2012) and Texas Teens Read! (2008-2012) Artwork and Themes

View a Gallery of Texas Reading Club Artwork from 1958-2008 - The Texas Reading Club (TRC) was designed to encourage youth to read for pleasure, retain learning gained during the school year and to promote the role of public and school libraries in early literacy, K-12 and beyond.  Each year, a theme was chosen and a programming manual was created by Texas librarians to aid in planning and educational programming.  The State Library also provided posters, reading logs, bookmarks, and certificates to support the program.  The Texas State Library began contracting with nationally-acclaimed illustrators of children's books to create artwork for the Reading Club in 1991.

The purpose of Texas Teens Read! (TTR) was to encourage teens to read during their summer vacations and become lifelong readers and library users, to establish the library as a safe and engaging space for teens. A statewide theme was selected annually and a handbook was created to assist libraries in planning their summer programs.

Texas Reading Club and Texas Teens Read! Program Themes, Artists, Artwork, and Manuals

• A unique theme was selected annually for the Texas Reading Club and manual with programming ideas for children based on the theme was published beginning in 1968.
  • A chapter with bilingual programming ideas for children and families was added beginning in 2001.
  • A chapter with programming ideas for teens was added beginning in 2002.
• Beginning in 2008, a separate annual theme was selected for Texas Teens Read!, a manual with programming ideas for teens was published, and unique artwork was created for teens.
• The Texas Reading Club and Texas Teens Read! programming manuals from 2002-2012 are available on the Texas State Library website. Click on the links below to view the programming manuals, artwork, and more for each annual theme.