Featured Program: Grandreaders

Reading is a challenging skill to learn. It takes practice and patience. The Grandreaders program, offered at several MCPL branches this Summer, provides children from Kindergarten to 3rd grade the opportunity to improve their reading skills. Children are paired up one-on-one with volunteers from the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA), Heyman Interages Center, who have been trained in intergenerational communication and interactions, to practice reading aloud.

“This literacy program is designed to improve elementary students’ ability to read more fluently and with better comprehension” said Anita Vassallo, MCPL Acting Director. “This is a great opportunity for children to keep their reading skills sharp during the summer and be more prepared when they return to school. We are delighted to offer this program at our public libraries – as part of MCPL mission in assisting families in readying their children to succeed at home and at school.”

The program will run for 5 weeks, from the week of July 8 to the week of August 5 at selected branches: Rockville Memorial, Mondays, 10–11 am Aspen Hill, Wednesdays, 10–11 am Gaithersburg, Thursdays, 2–3 pm

Many children have participated in the program in past Summers. If you have a child or know a child who can benefit from practicing reading aloud, come to one of the branches where the program is offered. The Grandreaders program does not require registration. Participant children just can drop by, bring their own book to read or select one from the library.