Abstract
Proficient reading ability is a core requirement for success at college, but at least 30% of the new students enrolling in the local community colleges in California are underprepared to read and understand college level texts. Many students must complete basic skills reading classes in order to enroll in transfer level coursework. Sources of Data Survey data indicated that 60% of the sampled students enrolled in remedial reading classes read two or less books for pleasure in the last six months. The literature review of the benefits of reading for pleasure revealed that reading at least 20 minutes a day would aid in the development of fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and spelling skills. Fifteen students who enrolled in the community college reading center classes, volunteered to participate in the field test for this project. The students received an individualized orientation, an overview of the website features including viewing a variety of video book/movie trailers related to the book inventory, and then selected a book to read. Once the student finished reading their book, they were able to select another. Some students provided student recommendations for posting in the website. Conclusions Reached This culminating project promoted the benefits of recreational reading for community college students, provided a small Reading Center library, developed a website with links to booksellers and related YouTube videos to encourage students to locate books that match their interests and reading level in order to develop a habit of recreational reading. Anecdotal feedback from the students indicated that having the current leveled books available in the Reading Center and seeing the related video media made it easy to select a book to read. Several students reported that they did not want to put their book down and kept reading to find out how the book would end. One student noted that it was the first book he had read all year and another student said it was the first time in her adult life she made a habit of turning off the television so she could read. The positive reaction to the Reading Center library and website by students, staff and faculty supports a more long-term continuation of this project to evaluate the willingness of students to select books to read in their leisure time in order to help grow their reading skills.