Summer Reading is here. For those about to take on the challenge of the School District of Philadelphia’s official lists (or anyone who knows a student who must), we’d like to salute you... with the following links to enhanced mobile-ready versions of the official reading lists:

For rising high school juniors and seniors going into the 11th or 12th Grade

http://ph.ly/1112summer2014

For rising high school first years and sophomores entering 9th or 10th Grade

http://ph.ly/910summer2014

For next year’s middle schoolers

http://ph.ly/68summer2014

Each document includes links directly to the books we have in our physical collections, as well as downloadable ebook and audiobook versions as available from our Overdrive service. We’ve built these enhanced lists to be readily accessible on mobile phones. Whether students use their phone to find the book on the shelf, to get on the hold waitlist, or to download directly to their device, these lists should help them do it seamlessly.

To our sister and brother educators in the School District, to our librarian colleagues across the Free Library system, and to parents and caregivers throughout Philadelphia, we highly encourage you to point your young readers to their grade’s list using the above links.

Two weeks ago we encouraged teachers to consider open ended summer reading assignments which would direct students to collaborate with their local librarians in building their own curiosity driven reading plan for the summer.  At the same time, we can’t deny that there is much to be said for the unifying civic force of all city lists such as these. We also can’t ignore the reality that tens of thousands of students and parents will come to Free Library branches across the city seeking books from the district-wide lists. Spoiler Alert: We hope these links help in getting an early start, before the waitlists get too long in late August.