The Summer Reading Challenge

in Libraries

Celebrating 10 years and looking ahead

Summer Reading Challenge 1999 - 2009

The Summer Reading Challenge 2009

• 725,000 children took part this year – 35,000 more than last year

• 401,800 children (55.4%) read 6 or more books

• 44% boys, 56% girls

2009 Challenge in Libraries

• 95% of UK libraries involved

• 19.7 million children’s materials borrowed over 10 weeks – up by 12%

• 47,000 children became new library members to take part

Outside the UK

• 13,000 children take part through the British Council in 23 different countries

• 3,000 children in the Republic of Ireland

• 1,500 children in Army Services, Germany

What is the Challenge?

• Children join at their local library

• Membership card and fold-out poster to get them started

• Stickers and rewards to collect along the way.

• Read six books – from the library - to get a medal

Age range

• Primary school age 4-11• Partnership with

Bookstart Book Crawl for SRC themed challenge and certificate

• Extra materials for Year 6 to Year 7 transition

• Encourages new students to use the library at secondary school and continues links with local libraries. Linked to Booked Up.

Events and Activities

• Libraries run events and workshops for children and families

• This summer, 14,050 events involving 216,000 children

• Encouraging reading & creativity

• SRC Website for games, quizzes, author blogs, messages and reading advice.

Special Materials and Partners

• Partnership with RNIB National Library Service for Large Print and Braille materials

• V.I. children could take part through their local library

• Welsh materials produced in bilingual Welsh/English, supported by the Welsh Assembly and Welsh Books Council

• Family leaflet to promote the challenge produced in 18 different languages

Other key partners

• Local Authorities• Stories from the Web• Children’s publishers –

supporting special SRC book collections

• Promotional Books• Library suppliers• BBC

Volunteers

• 36% of authorities work with volunteers

• 1400 volunteers involved this summer – majority are school age 12-15 and young people 16-24

Children say…

I never used to read that much now I always enjoy reading ...THANK YOU QUEST SEEKERS!!Saba aged 8 

Parents say...

I thought Quest Seekers was FANTASTIC!! My seven year old is not a keen reader, but with promise of stickers and a medal read six books in the first two weeks! Parent of 3, Essex