SYNC 2017/YEAR 8

• 32 audiobooks were offered over 16 weeks April 27th - August 16^th
• Average downloads/title in 2017: 5560
• Average unique downloaders/title in 2017:  5054
• 23% growth in SYNC direct contacts since April 27 - nearly 38,000 receiving emails or texts
• 25% growth in social media connections
• 4% increase in downloads to nearly 178,000

SYNC SURVEY RESULTS

• 97% of new listeners are likely to listen to more audiobooks thanks to SYNC
• 79% of educators/librarians are likely to use SYNC again in next year’s Summer Reading/Listening Program
• 75% of educators/librarians see a role for SYNC in the Common Core
• 73% of educators/librarians said SYNC helps outreach to teens
• 65% of educators/librarians said they would promote audiobooks because of exposure to SYNC
• 41% of educators/librarians said SYNC audiobooks lead to other listening/reading purchases

My favorite thing about SYNC was that it helped my family spend time together this summer. We're always so busy and rarely do any activities together. This summer, was different, though. One day it was raining and I started listening to an audiobook in the living room. Soon enough, my sister came in and started listening, and eventually all of us were listening together, laughing, commenting, debating, and enjoying each other's company. It was a wonderful moment. So thank you, SYNC, for giving my family a special moment together. – Teen Listener

After I bumped my head in a small car accident during the first weekend of SYNC, the doctor told me to avoid staring at things for too long in case I had a minor concussion. This included watching TV, using the computer, and reading.  I was like, READING?!  What else will I do in my free time??? Then I remembered what my English teacher showed us in class: the SYNC audio book program.  Since I just had to listen to the story, not only was I able to visualize it better with my eyes closed, but my brain would be a-okay. Now I'm allowed to crack open a book again, but I still have SYNC on my kindle for a quiet read on a relaxing day. – Teen Listener

I listened to one of the free audiobooks from the SYNC summer program and since I enjoyed it, I started using digital audiobooks through my library. – Teen Listener

SYNC interested me in other genres. Before I was mainly set on only horror fiction but have become a fan of drama or action adventures. – Teen Listener

I have discovered authors I particularly like through these audiobooks, and have read other works by these authors as a result. - – Teen Listener

Promoting SYNC is like generating a wave. I get the word out to teachers and students, and they tell their friends and colleagues. My email inbox is filled with testimonials and appreciation for the tip to tune in and sign up for SYNC. – Educator

Students who have difficulty reading were able to listen to the audiobooks available through SYNC while following along with a print copy. – Educator

The SYNC Program is a fabulous way to get nonreaders interested in a book. – Educator

We used SYNC for the first time this year.  It was a casual and fun summertime BONUS for adults/teachers/parents/students.  We found ourselves talking about titles together-those discussions are positive and priceless! And we noticed some students listened to tons of books through the summer-especially students who don't usually spend much time with books.  – Educator

It's a great resource, especially for my school which is in a high poverty area, where many students do not have a lot of books at home are they are not exposed to different formats of books. This helps them access audiobooks where they may not have ever had the opportunity before. - Librarian

Many of my readers say they will use SYNC because they do not have transportation to the public library during the summer.   Thank you so much for this program. - Librarian