Libraries and Customer Service Centres across Dumfries and Galloway are getting ready for children to explore some sport and games as part of Ready Set Read, through the Summer Reading Challenge Scotland 2023. The Reading Agency and libraries are excited to be working in collaboration with the Youth Sports Trust, and this year’s challenge will be all about games and sports.
What activities do you love doing? Are you a brilliant runner? Or a fantastic table tennis player? Are you a games master among your friends? All children can join Ready Set Read for the summer reading challenge to take part in games and sports in any way that suits them. During the summer holidays children are encouraged to borrow and read six books from their local Library and Customer Service Centre in return for goodies such as bookmarks, frisbees, pencils and paper games. Every child who completes the challenge will receive a certificate and medal.
Children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure. This can be a challenge for schools to put right in the new term, and The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge really helps by getting three quarters of a million children into libraries over the summer. There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to their library, encourages children to choose books freely and independently and is endorsed by both parents and teachers.
Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of Communities Committee said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a great way to encourage children to pick up a book and read over the summer holidays. The challenge also encourages children and their families to visit our libraries.”
Councillor Jackie McCamon, Vice Chair of Communities Committee added: “The partnership between the local library service and the Reading Agency is a great way to motivate children to enjoy reading and visit their local library.”
Just pop down to your local library or customer service centre now to register – it’s all free and it’s fun, which is great news for parents!
