In a huge combined effort to encourage every child to enjoy reading, the public library network today launched The Summer Reading Challenge with an event at the House of Commons. Speakers included Nick Gibb, Minister for Schools, and author Michael Rosen. Ruth Mackenzie, Director of the Cultural Olympiad announced that the Challenge will be part of the London 2012 Festival. Guests gathered to show their support for libraries' contribution to literacy included some of the nation's best loved authors along with MPs, councillors, publishing industry figures, librarians and library campaigners.

Created and run by independent charity The Reading Agency with libraries, this year's Summer Reading Challenge has the highest rate of involvement ever. 97% of UK library authorities are participating and over 760,000 children are due to join in.

"It's every child's birthright to benefit from the public library's support for literacy. If you care about libraries, get involved in The Summer Reading Challenge and shout about the success of the new look library reading service and why we should all be fighting to develop it" says Miranda McKearney, Director of The Reading Agency. "Those taking decisions about the future of libraries need to hear the good news stories - it's remarkable that in these tough times, libraries are leading the UK's biggest and most successful reading promotion for 4-11 year olds, and we are immensely proud to be coordinating their work.".

Michael Rosen, Patron of the Summer Reading Challenge, says "If there's one thing families do in the school holidays, it should be joining the library to take part in The Summer Reading Challenge. Schools can't be the sole focus of our efforts to ensure all young people grow up to be skilled readers - libraries are crucial. The Challenge is a massive opportunity to understand, champion and join in what libraries do for young readers"

The Reading Agency is also coordinating Summer Reading Challenge volunteering opportunities for young people in a growing number of local libraries. The work is supported by the John Laing Charitable Trust. Present at the House of Commons were representatives of the 3000 young people expected to volunteer this summer.

"We are calling for every Head Teacher to weave The Summer Reading Challenge into the school improvement plan and to ensure every primary school child is a member of their local library, every family knows the library is a free resource, and that class visits to the library happen throughout the year" says Miranda McKearney of The Reading Agency

Also present at today's launch were children who had successfully completed the Challenge in previous years and will be signing up to take part again in 2011. Ashviny from St Matthew Academy in Lewisham says: "I find it really fun - my brother and I see it as a challenge and we work against each other to see who could read the 6 books the fastest"

Cultural Olympiad plans
A key development in the future success of The Summer Reading Challenge is its selection to be part the London 2012 Festival. The Reading Agency will be working with libraries to stage a huge reading extravaganza all over the UK. The 2012 challenge aims to reach one million children with the fun and freedom of reading. Librarians, storytellers, writers, performers and teenage volunteers will inspire children to explore the transformational power of the world's stories.

Derbyshire has also been selected by the Reading Agency to deliver one of two Arts Nation projects. The aim is to involve families in arts events across the county and has provided funding to deliver a programme of activities to add to events already being run by library staff. Our activity programme will offer families the opportunity to learn circus skills with street theatre group Artizani, do cartooning with illustrator Andy Gilbert, make songs and rhymes with performer Sally Goldsmith and meet local author Andy Cope and Spy Dog.

Derbyshire have also been working with Gamesley, New Mills, Deer Park, Brampton, Etwall and John Port schools. Some of their children have joined our team of Ring Leaders - children who have been trained by library staff and who are busy talking to their classmates and in school assemblies encouraging other children to take part in the challenge. It's a great partnership between schools and libraries.

This year Derbyshire will again be using young people as volunteers in libraries during the summer to support staff to help children take part in the challenge. We are delighted that so far 60 young people have volunteered.

The Summer Reading Challenge in Scotland was launched on the 17th June at the McDonald Road Library, Edinburgh by Julia Donaldson MBE, the newly appointed UK Children's Laureate. The Summer Reading Challenge is being supported for the first time by Tesco Bank as part of their investment in literary programmes for children in Scotland.

Children from nearby Leith Walk Primary School were invited along to see that their local library had been transformed into a Big Top, in keeping with this year's Circus Stars theme. They were welcomed by a ringmaster, jugglers and clowns before being treated to an exclusive performance by Donaldson, best-selling author of The Gruffalo, Cave Baby and Tyrannosaurus Drip, amongst others.

Julia Donaldson, a keen supporter of libraries, said:

"The Summer Reading Challenge will ensure that during the long summer break thousands of children throughout Scotland head for their local library to take part in this fantastic programme. There they'll benefit from the enthusiasm and expertise of our librarians, helping them to choose just the right book to take home to read. Libraries are busy places, providing an invaluable resource for people of all ages. I'm a proud supporter of libraries - they can change your life, and they will make this summer holiday one to remember. It's wonderful that Tesco Bank is supporting the Summer Reading Challenge in Scotland this year."

In addition to supporting the programme, Tesco Bank is enabling Circus Stars to be brought to life across Scotland through Juggling Words - a tour of six events for family audiences combining author appearances and circus performances with the emphasis on fun and interaction, including prizes for the best fancy dressed child on the day.
Benny Higgins, Chief Executive of Tesco Bank added:

"The local library is an important focal point for local communities. Our aim with this programme is to encourage Scottish children, parents and families to enrich their lives by reading, and to enjoy the fun, social, cultural and educational benefits it brings."

To download the Circus Stars video trailer, click on this link Circus Stars Intro Video.zip

For press release and/or logos please contact Debbie Hyde