SMART STANDS FOR SCIENCE MATH ART, READING AND TECHNOLOGY

Friends of the Dallas Public Library sponsors the SMART Summer program, and we believe it is worthy of your support 

Here are some of the main elements of the program:

• Reading Challenge to foster a child’s love of reading and help maintain their reading level over the summer. Participants receive a new book of their choice for every 10 days they read at least 20 minutes. Private funding is needed to purchase 20,000+ books and grand prizes.

• Educational programs virtual or at the library provided by library staff, professional animal handlers, magicians, scientists and musicians. These high-quality programs, also privately funded, are offered free to the public to help reduce the achievement gap students experience when they don't have summer learning opportunities.  

• Free lunch and snacks in high-need neighborhoods. Children who depend on free lunch programs during the school year are at risk of hunger during the summer months. Pre-Covid, Dallas Public Library offered free meals to children through the Texas Department of Agriculture's summer feeding program with nonprofit partner Equal Heart. The hope is to resume this partnership as soon as it is safe to do so.

• Hands-on learning activities. Students need 21st-century skills to prepare for college and career. SMART summer programming at Dallas Public Library will provide science, math, art, reading and technology take-away activities that help keep skills sharp while capturing the interest of children and teenagers. Private funding is needed to purchase kits and supplies.

• Teen volunteer opportunities. Summer is the perfect time for teenagers to gain experience and give back to their communities through volunteerism. The public library is a great place for teenagers to give back. Reading programs, activities, and events make the library a hub of activity during the summer months. Depending on COVID restrictions, we hope to offer teens a chance again to make an impact in their community by assisting with logging points for book reading, assisting with hands-on crafts, reading stories to kids, and more. Summer learning programs can reach many kids and their families when they are equipped with enough volunteers.

Private and corporate funding provides the incentive books and prizes, supplies for arts & crafts and science experiments, musical instruments, and pays for professional program providers who bring quality experiences like animal encounters, professional storytellers, science educators, and others to each of Dallas' 30 library branches.