Funding Priorities Summer Reading Challenge The largest and most ambitious of our reading programs, the Summer Reading Challenge is an annual initiative to engage youth across the community in reading for pleasure throughout the summer months. The program offers activities and incentives that encourage kids to read for fun over summer vacation in effort to beat the learning loss known as “summer slide” The “summer slide” can equate to losing as much as two months of class time each year. Your support of this program will help us keep pace with the increasing demand and participation Technology and Capital Resources Help us serve Virginia Beach in innovative ways by bringing state-of-the-art technology and services out of the library and into the community. Programming For All Ages The library offers wonderful services and programs for the entire community—approximately 500 per month!. Preschool Storytime classes introduce early literacy skill-building and provide parent education to support language development through books rhymes, songs, and play activities. Our elementary school age STEAM programs are designed to empower children to explore scientific concepts and conduct investigations—enabling them to become independent thinker The library supports and empowers teens by offering volunteer and recreational programs that focus on strengthening the core assets teens need to thrive, including a positive self-identity, contributing to their community, and reading for pleasure. Adult programming at VBPL supports and enriches the lives of adults throughout all life stages by providing outlets for community engagement and creating social and cultural connections. Adult programs also support the local economy by providing lifelong skills in financial literacy, workforce development, and both nonprofit and small business leadership.