After a few rough patches in the first week of using the e*vanced Summer Reader software, we’ve finally hit smooth sailing with the summer reading logs.  I had to make a few adjustments (book reviews are no longer required from the children who use the online log, sadly) and had to learn the ins and outs of the software, and, most importantly, had to learn how to accomodate the kids who didn’t want to use the online log.  But it’s all working now, and in the long run, I think it’s substantially easier to operate than the traditional paper clock-face summer logs.

And the statistics are fabulous.  Now I can run reports and see the distribution of hours read – the concentration is in the rising fourth grade population – and really get a sense of which kids are intrigued by summer reading, which are enthusiastic, and which could give it a pass.   I can run reports on prizes awarded, total number of hours read, number of kids registered: you get the idea.  I can also read the book reviews that the kids have written, and get a sense of what the most popular books are at this moment. 

All of these statistics will help me to do my job better, help me to do next year’s summer reading outreach, and help me to plan a truly phenomenal summer reading program for next year.  If you’re a children’s librarian and haven’t tried this software out, or if your region/state doesn’t yet offer the software, do investigate it.  It’s a terrific tool and makes our job easier.