Librarian’s Corner

A Summer Reading Program Legacy

“Summer Reading Program” has been a household term in Sabine Parish for many, many years. The first mention of a summer reading program, of sorts, was in 1935, just two years after Sabine Parish Library’s inception. The Library’s 1935 Annual Report noted there was much interest in the Louisiana Library Commission’s Reading Certificates, which one could receive by reading 11 non-fiction and one fiction book by August 1st. The 1936 Annual Report detailed that Sabine Parish had 66 people turn in their reading list to receive a certificate signed by the Louisiana Governor and the Chairman of the Louisiana Library Commission. They were proud to announce that Sabine Parish received more certificates than any other parish in the state that year.

The 6-week program as we know it today focused on literacy, fun, and education, has been a staple of Sabine summers since at least the 1950s, if not before. For several years, the library published names of the boys and girls who completed the program in the Sabine Index. In 1961, the program was called a “Vacation Reading Club,” and its theme was the Civil War Centennial. Participants had to read 12 books, at least 2 of them non-fiction and one pertaining to the Civil War. In 1974, the program was “Read with Smokey the Bear,” and the library enjoyed a visit from Smokey the Bear himself who, of course, spent all his leisure time during the hot summer months reading.

Many Sabine residents may remember “JoJo the Clown” (longtime Head Librarian JoAnne Pickett) making appearances at the weekly programs. Then, others may remember the many talents of Children’s Librarian Becky Stickell through the years of children’s programming. From puppets to clowns to flannel-board stories to book read-alouds, children who attended Summer Reading Program events were never bored!

In addition to the local resources the library could provide, the Summer Reading Program has always been a means of introducing children to various cultures and arts they may not otherwise be exposed to. Over the years, programs have included things like pottery, magicians, various styles of music and dancing, local and exotic wildlife, local and world history, space exploration, calligraphy, nutrition, foreign languages, foods from around the world, marine life, and so much more.

The depth of benefit from programs like these cannot be measured, but there is no doubt that many adult residents of our parish can point back to some library program from their childhood that made a major impact on them or sparked an interest in a topic that shaped them as an adult. With that beautiful history of Summer Reading Program behind us, we say cheers to the 2026 season, and we invite you to join us.

Published 6/17/26

Jodi Cook

Director

Sabine Parish Library

(318) 256-4150 

(318) 660-1132 (Office)