Libraries boosted reading over summer holidays

Challenges and events arranged by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s libraries have boosted reading during this year’s summer holidays.

The Summer Reading Challenge for children and the Adults Read Two scheme have been a great success across the borough both in libraries and on-line. 

The Summer Reading Challenge is for children under thirteen and takes place during the school holidays each year. There is a mini version of the challenge for the under fours. The 2023 theme, chosen by The Reading Agency, was Ready Set Read, which focused on sports, games and keeping active. 

The Adults Read Two challenge also encourages adults to read more and celebrate their love of books and reading.  Entrants needed to read two books between 8 July and 3 September.  They could choose from a library book, eBook or eAudiobook and this year 13 to 15-year-olds could also enter again with parental permission. 

The Council’s Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health, Mental Health, Libraries and Culture) - Councillor Lisa Denson said:

“By the end of the Summer Reading Challenge an impressive 4,199 children had signed up to take part.  This year an amazing 118,808 children’s books were borrowed across our borough over the holidays. 

“It’s wonderful to see that so many children were able to boost their reading over the summer months before the new school term. It can make all the difference to their reading confidence.” 

There was a variety of events too, including Animals Takeover; Fun Science; Dogs Trust; Noodle Performance Arts; Digital Wizards; BugFest; Reptiles Off Roadin; Cheshire Dance; Little Actors Theatre storytelling; Goofus Theatre; Multi Flex Sports; and Vale Royal School Sport Partnership. 

Medals were awarded to all children who completed the challenges and they were also entered into a prize drawer to win a fitness tracker watch. Those that completed the mini challenge, got the chance to win a cuddly lioness toy. 

The Adults Read Two programme saw a 23 per cent increase compared to last year with 418 participants. For fun customers were once again encouraged to take part in the #BooketList.  

Staff selected their 30 favourite reads from the last 12 months including ‘Amazing Grace Adams’ by Fran Littlewood and ‘The Satsuma Complex’ by Bob Mortimer.  The list could be used for ideas for reading over the summer. Staff sent in images of their books and they were posted on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram. Comments back included ‘Love’, ‘This is a great idea’, ‘My summer sorted!’ ‘This looks good!’ ‘Awesome’.

Councillor Denson added:

“Winsford, Sandiway, Frodsham and Helsby Libraries also successfully received funding to offer food at events, part of the Holiday Activity with Food programme. This allowed for more events to take place at these libraries and resulted in 351 children being provided with lunches in libraries, across the summer holiday period. This year’s challenges have achieved truly wonderful results.”