The “Read Across Generations” Program, which seeks to help younger students with reading, will be made available this summer at several Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) the county announced Wednesday.
The program, formerly known as “Grandreaders” is designed for children in kindergarten through third grade and will operate by pairing them with a volunteer to practice reading aloud one-on-one. Read Across Generations is a partnership with MCPL, the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) and the Heyman Interages Center.
Residents will be able to participate for six weeks, from the July 10 to Aug. 18. The program is available at five libraries in the county. These include Aspen Hill, Gaithersburg, Long Branch, Wheaton and White Oak Libraries.
Registration for the program is not required. Students who are interested in participating are asked to “bring their own book or select one from the library.”
“We are delighted to again offer this program,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “This literacy program is designed to improve students’ ability to read more fluently and with better comprehension and to keep their reading skills sharp during the summer months.”
The JCA volunteers participating in this program are already selected, vetted and trained by JCA staff in communication and intergenerational interactions.
The following schedule for the reading program this summer was released by the county:
Gaithersburg Library – Mondays from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Wheaton Library – Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon
White Oak Library – Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Aspen Hill Library – Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Long Branch – Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon
