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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Prevent Summer "Brain Drain" - Encourage VA Kids to Pick Up a Book

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Monday, June 13, 2011   

RICHMOND, Va. - School is almost out for the summer, but educators in Virginia say that's no reason for children to put away all their books. There's a place they can go that's free, air-conditioned and educational, and just about every community has one: The public library.

Students who don't read during the summer can lose months of learning progress, says Dr. Kitty Boitnott, president of the Virginia Education Association and a career librarian. She says the children then must spend months playing catch-up when they go back to school in September.

"Kids need to be reading as opposed to watching TV or playing computer games all the time. It's something that I just can't stress enough for parents who want their kids to be successful in school and want to keep them on track."

Not all families are able to go away on summer vacations or send children to camp, Boitnott says, but that's no reason to stay at home. Public libraries are free and welcoming places for kids of all ages - and they're typically underutilized, especially in lower-income areas.

"There are always wonderful activities going on. The public libraries make it their business to come up with really wonderful programs that incentivize reading. They give prizes."

Studies show that reading five books during the summer break can prevent learning loss, and children who don't read over the summer can lose two to three months of progress in reading achievement.

A list of public libraries in Virginia is online at publiclibraries.com/virginia.


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