Lift off for Reading loves reading challenge

New, fun activities for children and adults are coming to Reading libraries as the Reading loves reading challenge launches this week.

Primary school aged children can take part in an exciting space themed challenge over the summer while teenagers and adults can join in Book Bingo.

Each child who completes the challenge will receive a certificate and prize and will be entered into a prize draw.

A total of 1,863 children and 540 adults across the borough took part in Reading loves reading last year and libraries are hoping for even more participants this year, the National Year of Reading.

The school holidays are a time when children’s literacy skills traditionally dip and the annual challenge offers a fun way for children to rediscover and re-engage with their local library and catch up on their reading skills.

This year's Reading loves reading has a space theme and launch day events are taking place at all branch libraries in the borough on Saturday 23 May during opening hours. Central Library is in the process of moving to its new home in the Civic Centre and will reopen on Thursday 18 June. 

To complete this year’s challenge, primary school aged children will need to read six library books over the summer months and visit a library at least three times, by Saturday 12 September.  

Teenagers and adults who sign up for the Book Bingo need to read at least three books and visit three times.

Everyone who successfully finishes will be entered into a branch prize draw for the chance to win either a Lego set for children or a voucher for teens and adults.

Children can also challenge parents, carers and even their teachers to read alongside them. Reading loves reading is free to join and a great way to read for free.

Children can help decorate rockets that will be on display at all branch libraries throughout the summer. 

They can also take part in a colouring competition and have their work displayed in a library. 

May half-term activities include themed crafts events, celebrating the start of Reading loves reading, including creating your own alien or designing and building your own moving picture rocket. 

All participants will need to be a library member and details of how to join Reading Libraries and all other services, including eBooks, eAudio and eMagazines, can be found at: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/. Reading Libraries are free to join and no longer charge overdue fines. 

Cllr Liz Terry, Leader of the Council, said:  

“The Reading loves reading challenge is an excellent way to encourage children to keep reading through the holiday season when young people’s literacy skills traditionally dip.

“There are also a host of other fun activities to encourage young people and adults to explore and keep coming back to Reading’s wonderful libraries.

“More than 1,800 children and 540 adults took part in the Reading loves reading challenges last year and we would love even more families to get involved this year.

“Reading Central Library will be open in its new home in the Civic Centre from 18 June so it will be the perfect time to explore the brilliant, bigger and better children section and dedicated teen area.

“However, all six branch libraries are running the Reading loves reading challenge so families across the borough can join in the fun before then.”

Reading’s six community libraries are: Battle, Caversham, Palmer Park, Southcote, Tilehurst and Whitley.

Come and visit your local library and let the reading mission blast off!