All young adolescents in Indiana need access to the kinds of reading opportunities that will allow them to grow up to be successful members of a literate community. It is the responsibility of the entire community to offer support for providing these opportunities. Our ultimate goal is the creation of Communities of Readers where each young adolescent will be able to fulfill his or her potential as a reader.

     To that end, we believe that Indiana's young adolescents deserve:

• Access to current, appealing, high-interest, and useful books and other reading materials in their classrooms, homes, public and school libraries, and other locations within the community.

• Schools that feature an environment where reading is valued, promoted, and encouraged.

• Dedicated time during the school day to read for a variety of purposes - for pleasure, information, and exploration.

• Teachers and school librarians who continually seek to renew their skills and excitement in sharing reading with young people through participation in diverse professional development activities.

• Public libraries that provide services specifically designed to engage young people's interest in reading.

• Community-based programs that encourage them in all aspects of their reading development.

• Opportunities for reading at home and support from schools, public libraries, and community agencies to families with young adolescents to encourage family reading activities.

• Communities of Readers in which all adults - in school, at home, and across the community - serve as role models and provide guidance to ensure that reading is a priority in young people's lives.
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  MIDDLE GRADES READING NETWORK
  University of Evansville
  Funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc.

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