Summer Reading: FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions | Summer Reading
 

1) Is my public library required to participate in the iRead theme?

No, you are welcome to run your summer reading program with whatever theme best suits your community, or no theme at all.

2) Is my public library required to submit summer reading data to the Connecticut State Library (CSL)?

No. However, please keep in mind that submitting summer reading data to CSL is required to access the summer reading manual. If you do not use the summer reading manual, then sharing your summer reading data is your choice to make.
 

3) Does my summer reading report include programs from June, July, or August?

Every library runs their summer program along different time frames. Make sure to include any programs or activities that YOU consider to be a part of your summer reading program. 

4) How do I access the iRead Resource guide?

Public libraries can only access the iRead manual information if they provide the necessary summer reading data to the state library.
CSL purchases the iRead manual with federal funds and as such the state library is federally mandated to collect data and outcomes as part of the Institute of Museums and Library Services, Library Services Technology Act Grants to State Program Report (SRP).
 

5) Where do I find the iRead artwork?

The iRead artwork is in the online iRead manual which can be accessed via the manual access code. The manual access code was emailed to the person who submitted the summer reading data.

6) Is there a difference between the iRead manual access code and logging into the iRead website?

Yes. Any public library can create a log in account to the iRead website. The iRead access code will be shared via email with those who submit their library's summer reading data. That access code is used to access the summer reading manual once you have logged in to the iRead website. 

7) Can my public library use READsquared for free?

Yes. You can use READsquared for free year round. If you've used READsquared in the past you can continue to use it with the same access information.
If you are a public library and you have never used READsquared, you can create an account free of charge. 
Create you READsqaured account. 
 

8) What kind of data and outcomes do I need to share with the state library at the end of the summer?

Visit our Summer Reading Reports page to access the questions. You will also find access to various spreadsheets, sample Google forms, and other materials to make the reporting process less labor intensive.
 

9) When is the deadline to submit the statistics to CSL?

The first Friday of October. 
For 2021, the deadline is Friday, October 1.
 

10) What if I'm at a library branch?

Branch library summer reading data must be integrated with summer reading data from the main and any other branches. There should only be one Summer Reading report sent in per public library system.
 

11) Do we have to follow the iRead Rules of Use? 

Yes! Due to copyright and contractual arrangements between iRead, the exclusive vendor, and the artists, iRead members are expected to be aware of the rules of use. 

12) Do we have to count number of book, minutes, pages, or days read anymore?

No, you do not. That information has been replaced with the patron survey. 
 

13) Can I collect additional data from my summer reading program?

Yes, you are welcome to collect summer reading data appropriate for your community and library needs.  However, please only submit the summer reading data requested to the state library.
 

14) Are we required to use the patron survey?

The patron survey is built in to the Summer Reading Report. If your library chooses to submit summer reading data, the information submitted will need to include patron survey results. You are welcome to submit data without the patron survey portion completed, but if at least some patron data is not provided, you will not have completed the summer report and will not qualify for a copy of the summer manual. 
 

15) Can I add questions to the patron survey?

You may add questions to the patron survey. We encourage you not to add too many. More questions on the survey may decrease the amount of responses you are able to collect.
 

16) Can I remove questions from the patron survey?

We ask that you do not remove questions from the survey. If a question does not pertain to your patrons, we encourage you to instruct your patrons to circle N/A.

17) What happens if I get the below message?

If you get the below message it means you are attempting to type in a cell that is not permitted. The excel sheet has many built in formulas and specific pages, certain cells have been protected to keep them from being accidentally deleted or changed. 

18) My SRP is for all ages and we are running targeted individual programs for different age groups throughout the season. Help! How do I count all of this?

You have opened your SRP for all ages – yay! Let’s tackle one aspect at a time.

• For the first question in each section on the CSL Report spreadsheet, “Did you run an SRP for (fill in the age group)?, answer according to how you structured your program. 
  • For example, you ONLY ran your SRP as a Family Program, mark ‘yes’ for that section and no for the others.  If you ran a Children (0-5), Children (6-11), and Adults SRP, mark ‘yes’ for those, and ‘no’ for the other ages.
• When it comes to the second question,  “How many participated in the family SRP?,” if you only ran a family SRP:
  • You could simply put the total number of participants in the new “Family Programming” section which can encompass all ages.
  • Please note, most importantly, you can only count each participant once to get an accurate total number of participants in the SRP.  In other words, you would NOT enter a child, age 7 in the Children (6-11) SRP and the Family SRP; you would have to pick only one to document their participation.
• Next, when it comes to the third and fourth questions in each section regarding the number of programs and activities as well as if some were off site, you can break down the number of targeted individual programs for the different age groups in each section.
• For the last question regarding attendance, enter the total number of people present according to the intended age for the program and activity. 
  • For example, for a SRP story time program for children (0-5), count the total number of people (regardless of age), and put that in the Children (0-5) programs and activities attendance question. If a grandparent and child attend this program, that would be two people attending the Children (0-5) program.

19) Why does the report breakdown age categories as 0-5, 6-11, and 12-18?

Those age breakdowns are required by IMLS for their Public Libraries Survey – every library in every state should be collecting program numbers based on those ages. If you’re doing programs that are aimed specifically at tweens and teens, then you should report them in the category for ages 12-18. 

20) If we didn't have many patron surveys retuned do we still qualify for the summer reading manual? 

Yes, we recognize that every library may not collect large quantities of patron surveys, what matter is that an attempt was made and some data was collected.