In 2004, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released a grim report on the state of literary reading in America. "Reading at Risk" (www.nea.gov/pub/ReadingAtRisk.pdf) detailed a dramatic decline in recreational reading across all segments of the American population--young and old, black, brown, and white. It also included the projected…

Used selectively and imaginatively, corporate sponsorship can be a powerful tool to help libraries achieve their mission of getting more children reading and visiting the library. Focuses on development of the summer reading program by the Oregon Library Association. Discusses planning and fundraising; publicity; distributing funds; obstacles; and…

Discusses the role and activities of the national Center for the Book and describes the activities of some of the 23 affiliated state centers that are now operating. Reading promotion projects are described, the all-private funding is discussed, and the locations and contacts for the state centers are listed. (LRW)

Examines the Riordan Foundation's successful strategy in establishing computer-assisted reading labs in public and private elementary schools nationwide. The foundation provides challenge grants to applicant schools to purchase equipment for the "Writing to Read" program and assists them in raising additional funds from local businesses.…

Describes the unexpected benefits of a reading incentives program in which adult volunteers listen to students' oral book reports in a one-to-one situation. Benefits include (1) oral skill development, (2) increased student confidence, (3) heightened interpersonal understanding between members of different racial groups and generations. (SA)