Ready, Set, Read! is the theme for the Summer Reading Challenge at Bedford Borough Libraries this year. It runs from Saturday 15 July through to Saturday 9 September and promises to be an exciting and engaging programme for children aged four to eleven.
Children are invited to earn rewards for reading through the summer. There is also a fun activity pack to complete which includes scratch and sniff stickers!
Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said, “Children’s enthusiasm for books can often dip during the summer holidays and every year the Summer Reading Challenge inspires children of all ages to continue to develop their reading with some wonderful rewards.
“It’s very important to me that children in Bedford Borough have the opportunity to visit our libraries, borrow books and enjoy a variety of exciting free creative activities over the holidays.”
Children will receive three bookmarks through the challenge. Each one allows them to tick six boxes for the books they’ve read. They will receive a reward for each completed bookmark. The rewards are; a special Ready, Steady Read! Certificate, a glow-in-the-dark bookmark, and finally the much-loved Summer Reading Challenge medal!
All library books count towards the challenge, so children can enjoy; picture books, storybooks, joke books, poetry books, and books full of facts. Audiobooks are included too, so children who prefer listening to library books won’t miss out. Children can request books for free on the Bedford Borough Libraries website or app and by asking staff in the libraries.
There will also be free craft activities at all Bedford Borough Libraries this summer, such as making seaside flags and creating a rosette and trophy. Lego clubs, craft clubs, and story times will also run through the holidays.
Find all the events and activities planned at Bedford Borough Libraries by visiting www.bedford.gov.uk/libraries. Find the summer events and activities in the ‘Children and teens’ section.
Children can also join the Summer Reading Challenge on the Mobile Library. The Bedford Borough Mobile Library travels across Bedford Borough each week. Find the timetable and further details at www.bedford.gov.uk/libraries/your-library.
All children are welcome to join the Summer Reading Challenge, even if they are not yet library members. It is free for people of any age to join Bedford Borough Libraries. A parent or guardian will need to complete a form during staffed hours for children to join a library. It is also possible to join online at any time and then collect a library card during staffed hours. Parents and carers must remain with children under 14 in the libraries.
Learn all about the Summer Reading Challenge at Bedford Borough Libraries on the Virtual Library at www.bedford.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge2023. The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by libraries and produced by The Reading Agency.