High school pupils across Powys are being called upon by Powys County Council to become volunteers and help encourage younger children to complete this year’s summer reading challenge.
‘Record Breakers’ is the Summer Reading Challenge for 2015 and now Powys County Council’s Library Service wants high school pupils to step forward to become ‘Reading Activists’ and encourage younger children to enjoy reading six library books over the summer holidays.
Throughout this year’s challenge, library staff and teenage volunteers will support the children taking part, helping them to discover new authors and to explore a wide range of different types of books and ways of reading.
The Summer Reading Challenge started on Friday with a weekend of reading pledges. Children aged 4 to 12 years are encouraged to read six books of their choice and will receive stickers, a medal and a certificate to celebrate their reading achievement.
Last year’s reading challenge saw 1,429 youngsters in Powys take part. Now the council’s Library Service is hoping for a record breaking amount of children taking part in this year’s challenge, which ends on Saturday 12 September.
Cllr Graham Brown, Cabinet Member for Library Service, said: “Most young people at high school in Powys have enjoyed the Summer Reading Challenge in the past as primary school pupils. By joining the campaign, they pledge to encourage to complete the challenge and read over the summer.
“They will be excellent and enthusiastic reading role models for younger readers and help make a contribution to improving levels of literacy in their communities.
“By volunteering with our Library Service will give those older pupils valuable work experience, an opportunity to build confidence as well as develop communication, literacy and organisational skills. Those who become ‘Reading Activists’ will received certificated proof of their hard work with our Library Service.”
The Summer Reading Challenge, which has been organised by the Reading Agency and the UK public library network since 1999, is the UK’s biggest reading promotion for children aged 4 to 12 years and combines free access to books with fun, creative activities in the library.
Last year over 42,000 children in Wales – as much as 44% being boys – were inspired to read for pleasure over the summer weeks and joined the Summer Reading Challenge in libraries.
Photo caption
Welshpool High School pupils have volunteered to become 'Reading Activists' for this year's Summer Reading Challenge - 'Record Breakers'. Joining the pupils are Cllr Graham Brown; Helen Evans, the council's Senior Library Assistant at Welshpool Library; and Amanda Swift, School Librarian at Welshpool High School.
