Central Unified libraries offer summer hours

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A program designed to keep kids reading during the summer will continue in Central Unified.

Books can put the world at the fingertips of students young and old. The end of the school year shouldn't mean the learning process ends. Textbooks were being turned in but the district does not want kids to go into a summer slide.

Assistant superintendent Laurel Ashlock explained, "Those students who are just beginning to get that reading bug you don't want to have a gap in that so it's very important for them."

A $7500 grant from Kaiser Permanente will allow the district to keep libraries open this summer at Central High as well as Herndon-Barstow, Harvest, Teague and Biola-Pershing elementary schools. The district is not served by county library services.

Central High sophomore Maddie Robinson said, "I think it's good that the kids get an opportunity to have them open in the summer so they're not distracted."

They'll also be more prepared academically when school resumes in the fall. Students who will be taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes next year will also benefit from the extended hours.

Central High junior Dylan Casares said, "It's important that it's open because I have quite a few summer assignments so for there to be the library open I can come here. I check out a few books and do my research."

This is the seventh straight year Central Unified has kept selected libraries open during the summer.