CSLP Newsletter: March 2025

Please note that the Library of Michigan, with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, provides ReadSquared to libraries across Michigan, who also has reading challenges featuring the art, badges, banners, etc. from CSLP. To sign-up your library to use ReadSquared, go to: https://mistate.readsquared.com/Signup.aspx?State=MI#!

Thank you,

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
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New Partnership with Reader Zone

In our quest to continuously improve our program for our member libraries, we now have a partnership with Reader Zone! Reader Zone helps schools and libraries host amazing digital reading programs. Their flexible approach has us partnering with them to extend their offerings to CSLP’s annually themed program. If your library uses the Reader Zone platform, you have access to a provided default CSLP program with preprogrammed CSLP badges. Or you may opt to create your own unique program within Reader Zone and use your choice of CSLP-themed badges from the CSLP Toolbox.

In order to further enhance the user experience, libraries can choose to match the digital badges in Reader Zone with our Brag Tags from School Life. The Create Value Pack images are located within the CSLP Toolbox. You’ll find all 10 badge designs available there for use in your digital reading challenges. Access the CSLP Toolbox directly using the link above or navigate to it through the Resources drop down menu, click Toolbox then scroll down the page and select CSLP from the resource categories. From here, you can access all of the provided CSLP resources to customize your program.

In addition, Reader Zone worked with us to adapt our popular Toddler Activity log for 2025, so your library could opt to offer those activities and earn badges digitally. We will continue to work with the dynamic staff at Reader Zone to find creative ways to meld their digital platform with analog elements in the future! Suggestions are welcome, just email Amanda Raiche at amanda.raiche@cslpreads.org.

Member Library Alert!

Do you adore wordsmithing all the words and phrases? Do you love word play?
Staff from member libraries are welcome to join the Theme & Slogan Committee for a deep dive into developing the short list of slogan options for 2028's mythical creatures theme. We're offering two Zoom sessions to try and get input from as many libraries as possible:

Register for the April 9, 2025 Session here

Register for the April 17, 2025 Session here

Libraries and Summer Food

Across the United States, many libraries serve as vital community partners in the fight against food insecurity by offering meals and snacks to kids and teens through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)—now branded as SUN Meals. Funded by the USDA, this program provides free meals to children ages 0–18 in communities with high levels of need.

Libraries and SUN Meals are a natural fit. Libraries are trusted, welcoming spaces that offer free, high-quality services for all. They provide safe environments where children and teens are encouraged to learn, explore, and engage through programs and activities.

Hosting SUN Meals offers many benefits for libraries, too:

Reach new user groups, including underserved and marginalized populations
Boost visibility and position the library as a key community resource
Build new partnerships with local organizations
Contribute to positive outcomes for youth and community well-being
Support and enhance summer programming with increased attendance
Reduce behavioral issues through better engagement and nourishment

Beginning in 2024, SUN Meals sites in low-income rural areas can now offer SUN Meals To-Go—allowing for offsite (grab-and-go) distribution of meals and snacks. This flexible model helps reduce barriers for families in rural areas to access nutritious food.

Want to get started? The CSLP’s newly updated 2025 Libraries and Summer Food how-to guide walks you through the essentials—from becoming a SUN Meals site to forming partnerships and planning for a successful summer.

As you plan for your summer reading programs, it’s the perfect time to plan for summer feeding, too!

Color Our World™: Animal Prints and Patterns with the Detroit Zoo

Spots, stripes, and more!
Animal patterns and colors are all around us and they can teach us amazing things about nature!
Learn how to engage youth in your community with science activities created just for libraries by the Detroit Zoo, thanks to the Library of Michigan with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Recording: https://youtu.be/Qpm6c9dfRtk?si=Nymqty2SrGEY2DKT

Handouts: https://bit.ly/ColorOurWorld_Animals

New Staff Welcome

CSLP is pleased to announce a new position, and a new staff member, to our small non-profit roster. Join us in welcoming Amanda Raiche as our new Content Editor. In the past, we had a part-time position as Managing Editor but found that we needed someone to think about our oodles of content in a more holistic manner. That takes more time, so our Board of Directors authorized creating a full-time Content Editor position. Amanda comes to CSLP after several years of working with us as a State Rep from South Dakota. You may recognize her professional development work! She was part of our 2024 Summer Symposium and did a fantastic webinar on Process Art that you can find here. CSLP is thrilled to have someone with so much experience in library development join our team.

Contact Amanda at amanda.raiche@cslpreads.org with any manual-related questions or suggestions.

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