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Summer is a season filled with adventure, relaxation, and fun; however, it can also lead to a decline in the reading skills that students have diligently developed throughout the school year. This phenomenon, known as the “summer slide,” can pose challenges for children as they return to school in the fall, ready to learn.

Fortunately, your library offers a fantastic resource to help families maintain their reading habits all summer long: Scholastic BookFlix.

What Is BookFlix?

Scholastic BookFlix is an engaging digital literacy tool tailored for children in PreK through Grade 3. Each BookFlix pairing features a classic fictional picture book alongside a related nonfiction title, aiding young readers in enhancing their reading comprehension, expanding their vocabulary, and making connections between stories and real-life topics.

Each title also offers interactive features such as:

• Read-aloud narration with highlighted text
• Educational games and activities
• Vocabulary support
• Safe, age-appropriate videos
• Printable resources for caregivers and educators

These features make BookFlix particularly appealing for emerging readers and those who benefit from audio support.

How BookFlix Helps Prevent the Summer Slide

Establishing a consistent reading routine during the summer is one of the most effective ways to mitigate learning loss. BookFlix simplifies this by providing children with an engaging, interactive reading experience they can enjoy from home or while traveling.

Using BookFlix throughout the summer enables children to:

• Regularly practice their reading skills
• Build confidence as independent readers
• Enhance comprehension through the connection of fiction and nonfiction
• Develop background knowledge across various subjects, including science, social studies, animals, nature, and more
• Cultivate a lifelong passion for reading

Even dedicating just 15–20 minutes a day to reading can significantly impact students’ retention of the skills they’ve acquired during the school year.

Tips for Families

Encourage parents and caregivers to integrate BookFlix into their family’s summer routine:

• Read one BookFlix pair together multiple times a week.
• Discuss the similarities and differences between the fiction and nonfiction titles.
• Engage in the interactive activities following the reading.
• Select topics that resonate with a child’s interests, such as dinosaurs, space, animals, weather, or sports.
• Celebrate daily reading with a simple summer reading calendar or sticker chart.

Your Library Is Here to Help

One of the key benefits of BookFlix is its accessibility; it is available anytime, anywhere with an internet connection through the Power Kids Library website. Families can enjoy high-quality digital books from the comfort of their homes, making it an excellent complement to your library’s summer reading program.

This summer, encourage families to explore BookFlix and help young readers continue learning, growing, and discovering. Just a few minutes of reading each day can ensure children return to school prepared for another successful year—and your library is here to support them every step of the way.

Gabi- Robinson Library

No one wants to think about school in the summer, but summer is actually the perfect time for library staff to prepare for the upcoming school year. What better way to prepare for the new school year than a review of Tutor.com.

Please join Maxine Nebro, our Customer Success Manager, for a refresher, or introduction, to all that Tutor has to offer.

Maxine will go over

There will also be time to ask questions about Tutor.com during the Q&A at the end of the session.

You can choose to attend one or more of the following sessions

1. Jun 17, 2026 04:00 PM
2. Jul 15, 2026 04:00 PM
3. Aug 19, 2026 04:00 PM

If can’t make one of these sessions, register and you will receive a recording afterwards.

Webinar Registration Link

Questions? Please reach out to Hilary Lewis – lewislacknerh@carnegielibrary.org

If you’ve ever encountered a student in need of homework assistance or an adult expressing interest in returning to school, you’re likely aware of how frequently patrons could benefit from a bit of extra support. This is where Tutor.com steps in.

As a member of public library staff, you don’t need to be a platform expert to make a significant impact. A quick and friendly recommendation can effectively connect someone with the assistance they require.

What is Tutor.com?

Tutor.com is a complimentary online tutoring service that many public libraries provide to patrons with a library card. It links users with real, live tutors who can assist with a variety of subjects, including math, writing, science, and test preparation.

The Best Part?

• It’s accessible from home or in the library.
• Patrons can typically log in whenever they need help.

## How to Bring It Up in Conversation

You don’t need a formal pitch—just keep it casual and conversational. Here are some simple ways to introduce it:

• “If you ever need homework help, we actually have free online tutors available through the library.”
• “We offer a service that allows you to chat live with a tutor—it’s quite helpful for writing assignments.”
• “Students frequently use Tutor.com for last-minute homework inquiries.”

Think of it as planting a seed. Even if they don’t utilize it immediately, they’ll remember it’s available.

What Patrons Can Do with It

Tutor.com offers more than just homework assistance. Here are some notable features to mention:

• Live tutoring: Interact with a real person to solve problems together.
• Writing help: Upload a paper and receive feedback.
• Test prep: Practice for exams such as the SAT, ACT, or GED.
• **Quick questions:** Submit a question and receive an answer later.

Sometimes, individuals may not realize the library offers this type of assistance—so your suggestion can come as a delightful surprise.

A Quick Reminder

You don’t need to know every detail about Tutor.com. Simply being aware of its existence and feeling comfortable mentioning it can make a difference.

Ultimately, it’s one more way we support our community in learning, growing, and achieving their goals—and that’s the essence of public libraries.

Gabi – Robinson

As we prepare for the Hoopla Daily Spending Cap which starts on May 1, here are two resources for staff to review and have handy.

2026 Hoopla FAQs.docx​

​2026 Hoopla Talking Points.docx​

Next week libraries will receive information (blog posts for websites and a social media tool kit) to inform patrons. 

After the Daily Spending Cap has been in place, we will be reaching out to gather feedback on how the Spending Cap is impacting the patron experience. Please consider gathering the feedback as you’re hearing it so that you can share it with us.

Thank you for your continued support as we work through the ever changing and evolving world of eResources! Please reach out to Hilary Lewis with questions.