Please check back here frequently as the information is likely to change.
This page is a guide to understanding the information NYS asks you to collect about programming for the Summer Reading Survey (and Annual Report.) It's important to remember that these reports are only one method of evaluating your program. Consider the story you want to tell your board, your community, and your funding sources and then think about what information you need to tell that story. It could be statistics, but it could also be patron testimonials or a collaborative project with a community partner. Success is defined at the local level - and it's not always about the numbers.
In mid-to late August, you'll receive an email from me with a link to complete the 2024 Summer Reading Evaluation Survey. This survey is required. This report asks for Summer Reading information only. While some of the info you gather can also be reported on your NYS Annual Report, please know that they are two separate and distinct reports with different purposes. While the 2024 survey has not been released at this time, previous Summer Reading Surveys reflect the type of data your library should be collecting. (See Summer Reading Survey box below.)
The information gathered will be sent to the NYS Library. The NYS Library compiles the data for their report to the federal government.
You can refer to the 2023 Summer Reading Final Evaluation Survey to guide your planning and data collection until we receive updated guidance from NYS for Summer 2024.
A collaborator is an organization that provides space and/or services for a specific program series or session, such as bringing children to programs, providing space for programming, assisting with planning, providing programming, etc. It does not include donating money or items, distributing promotional materials (bookmarks/flyers) or hanging posters. Hired performers/programmers are not considered collaborators.
Use this spreadsheet as a guide for collecting data for both your Summer Reading final evaluation and the Annual report. Until NYS releases its 2024 Summer Reading survey, we do not know exactly what data they will require.
This is only a guide; please make edits as needed for your local data collection.
Data Collection Tip: When is Summer Reading and What Counts as Summer Reading?
Any program that occurs during your Summer Reading season can be counted in these statistics. Your library determines the dates for its Summer Reading program. (NYS and FLLS do not set this timeframe. However, FLLS does recommend that you select a timeframe that is reasonable for your library and community's capacity.)
Data Collection Tip: Program Audience
If you are uncertain where a program should be counted, use your primary demographic as a guide. (i.e. who was the program designed for and/or who made up the majority of the attendance.) You can count everyone who attended, including parents/caregivers.)
Data Collection Tip: Programs and Sessions
For the purposes of the Summer Reading Evaluation survey, a program can have several sessions. For example, a library hosts a Storytime that runs every Tuesday throughout the summer for 8 weeks. It’s one program that has 8 sessions. Please count the attendance at each session.
For the purposes of the Summer Reading Evaluation Survey:
Programs must be categorized by their PRIMARY audience* into one of the following categories:
* Who was the program intended for?
As of 2023, the NYSL has not included intergenerational or multigenerational categories on their survey. We've been encouraging libraries to count these programs under the one of the Children's categories.
Live Program Sessions (formerly "Synchronous")
One planned session conducted by a staff member, outside performer, or other programmer, which could be onsite, offsite, or virtual this summer – it does not include informal visits to the library to report on reading, etc. Activities/crafts included in a scheduled Summer Programming/Virtual Programming program such as storytime are not counted separately. Live virtual programs are those conducted via a web conferencing or webinar platform such as Facebook, YouTube, or Zoom, during which a library staff member (or other party sponsored or arranged by the library) is presenting to or interacting with an audience in real time.
Self-directed or Independent programs ("Grab and Go", "Make and Takes")
Self-directed activity kits or materials given out to children or families are counted as One-on-One programs. If your library gives away 50 STEM kits, you count each kit as a one on one program, each with one participant. On the Annual Report, One-on-One Programs are only counted as One-on-One Sessions and Attendance, and not under the Synchronous Programming or Summer Reading sections.
It does not include setting out coloring pages or displays. Activities/crafts included in a scheduled program such as storytime are not counted separately.
Pre-recorded Programs or Content (formerly "Asynchronous")
Recordings of program content include video or audio recordings created by a library staff person (or other party sponsored by the library) and posted to a video or audio hosting platform for the audience to view or listen to on-demand. This does not include promotional or marketing content.