CPL's Director of Children's Services, Elizabeth McChesney, is a Library Journal 2014 Mover & Shaker.
McChesney, who's been at CPL for 25 years, partnered with the National Summer Learning Association in 2013 to combat the summer slide, which is when students lose academic footing during the time away from school. She transformed CPL’s summer reading program into the Summer Learning Challenge, which measures students’ ability in four specific tracks: read, learn, discover and create.
Based on research about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and learning skills defined by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Summer Learning Challenge draws kids into learning through child-centered, active learning experiences—including science experiments, games and creative activities—that reflect literacy skills and are aligned with Common Core State Standards.
“This evidence-based approach is a huge step forward for the field and is now being hailed beyond libraries by organizations such as the NSLA,” Library Commissioner Brian Bannon told Library Journal. “Prior to their engagement with Liz, public libraries were not on the NSLA’s radar as strategic partners for addressing summer slide. They are now refocusing on libraries as a result of the partnership.”
CPL's summer program is one of the largest in the country. In 2013, 71,000 children participated in the Summer Learning Challenge, 11,000 more than in 2012.
