From fast paced video games to the rise of short-form content, the development of new entertainment shows no sign of slowing down. With the growing popularity of video sharing apps, a timeless hobby is fading away: reading.
As rates of reading dwindle across the nation, Stinger was interested in investigating teen involvement in the Indian Prairie Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program. The Summer Reading Program was offered to children, teens, and adults within the library’s district as a way to incentivize reading. By either finishing four books or reading or listening to audiobooks for four hours, participants could complete reading logs that made them eligible for coupons and prizes. Stinger reached out to the library with some questions about teen involvement in the program.
And while teens around the U.S. are putting down books, nearby readers aren’t slowing down.
Over the summer, 302 seventh to twelfth graders participated in the Summer Reading Program. Although this number was less than last year’s 325 participants, engagement nearly tripled. During the summer of 2024, only 57 teens completed at least one reading log; however, 156 teenagers completed at least two logs this past summer. The rise in involvement is promising, still, the library aims to increase teen participation.
Currently, IPPL serves residents from parts of Darien, Burr Ridge and Willowbrook, in addition to nearby middle and high schools. Therefore, there are thousands of students that live in the library’s district, an amount that doesn’t correspond to the number of summer reading program participants. Yet, across the nation, Gen Z is going to the library more than older generations.
A recent report from the American Library Association proves this. Around 54% of Gen Z and Millennials visited their local library within the 12 months leading up to the time they were surveyed. More data from this report also shows that more than half of the 43% of Gen Z and Millennials who don’t even consider themselves readers visited their local library.
That said, libraries are becoming more and more focused on ways to enhance teen engagement beyond reading. For example, IPPL offers a range of teen programs including arts and crafts, STEM activities, and other after school events. This trend demonstrates a shift in teen programming from reading intensive programs like the Summer Reading Program to activities that are interactive and engaging to a wider teen audience. Still, reading should not be forgotten and cast aside.
To gain better insight into reading’s importance, we reached out to the Indian Prairie Public Library’s Head of Programming & Outreach.
“Whether you are reading for academic reasons, reading to do your job, or reading for pleasure, reading enriches your life immensely,” Ms. Amy Merda said. “[Reading] can help you be a life-long learner, be a great source of entertainment, and it can even relieve stress.”
Evidently, by exploring books and articles, like this one, can give you new perspectives into the world, past and present—perhaps even better than social media can. Also, reading daily can put you ahead of the majority of Gen Z. So, visit the library, find a book, and learn something new.
