Local library systems are launching one of the region's largest literacy initiatives, directly confronting a decades-old academic hurdle known to educators as the "summer slide."
The "Maricopa County Reads" program recently began at 64 libraries across the Valley, bringing together 18 public, tribal, military and volunteer library systems. This year, organizers have set a community goal of 110 million collective reading minutes to help students maintain academic skills over the summer months.
An analysis by researcher Harris Cooper showed that while procedural skills like mathematics always decline without practice, reading loss is directly tied to a child’s home environment and access to books.
According to the Maricopa County Library District, when left unchecked, this summer reading loss compounds year after year.
A different long-term study published in 2007 tracked students from first grade into adulthood. The researchers discovered that unequal summer learning opportunities during elementary school accounted for the absolute majority of the reading achievement gap between lower-income and higher-income youth by the time they entered high school.
Local officials are developing the countywide program as a fun, accessible defense system against that cumulative learning loss.
“Summer reading helps children stay academically engaged and that influence goes far beyond the classroom,” said Maricopa County Board Chair Kate Brophy McGee. “Maricopa County Reads gives families a fun and meaningful way to learn together while building habits that support lifelong success.”
To level the playing field, the program tracks participation by minutes read rather than books completed. According to library coordinators, this structure is intentionally inclusive for beginning readers, struggling readers and individuals with cognitive disabilities who might take longer to finish a book. It also reinforces the proven educational strategy of reading just 20 minutes a day to build consistent, lifelong literacy habits.
The initiative is riding a wave of momentum. During the past three years, the program has experienced explosive growth, drawing a record-breaking 105,294 participants during the 2025 season.
“What makes this program special is how many communities come together to make it happen,” said Jeremy Reeder, Maricopa County Library District director and county librarian. “When libraries across the county work toward a shared goal, the impact is incredible.”
This year’s theme, "Unearth a Story," focuses on exploration, prehistoric discoveries and dinosaurs. Participants earn one point per minute for reading physical books, e-books, or listening to audiobooks between June 1 and July 20.
To keep families engaged, the program incorporates gamified elements. Readers can earn extra points and digital badges by completing activity challenges or hunting for "secret codes" hidden at library events and community partner experiences.
Local events, such as the treehouse scavenger hunts running through July 20 at the Georgia T. Lord Library in Goodyear, are designed to connect literacy with hands-on learning.
To incentivize readers, the program offers milestone rewards at 500, 750 and 1,000 points. Prizes include personal pizza coupons from Peter Piper Pizza and Habit Burger kid's meals for younger children, Harkins loyalty cups for teenagers and Arizona State Parks Day Passes or Phoenix Mercury ticket packages for all ages.
Participants who achieve the ultimate goal of 1,000 points can choose a free book to keep from a curated list of over 150 titles, directly putting resources into home libraries to combat the resource gaps highlighted in the 2007 study. Readers can also choose to donate their earned book to local youth organizations.
Registration is free and open to all ages, including adults. Residents can visit MaricopaCountyReads.org to sign up, log minutes and track prizes.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here