Summer Reading Challenge 2018

Swindon Library’s Summer Reading Challenge returns for another year, and this time it has a comical theme to coincide with The Beano’s 8oth Birthday.

The challenge, known as ‘Mischief Makers’, encourages children aged four years and older to visit their local libraries and enjoy books, audiobooks, e-books and e-magazines over the summer holidays.

To complete the challenge, children need to register at any of the 15 libraries across Swindon and then make three visits to any of these, taking out at least two books per visit.

The scheme will be launched by Juggling John this Sunday (14th July 2018) who will be performing at Central Library from 10.30am to 11.15am.

This will be followed by a circus workshop from 11.30pm to 12.15pm for children aged five years and over. This workshop is a limited, ticket-only event, costing £2 per child and tickets can be purchased at Central Library’s Help-point.

Tweedy the Clown from Gifford Circus will also be visiting Central Library on Wednesday, 29th  August between 10.30am and 11.30am. Children will need to get their free tickets from Central Library, which will be available from next Monday (16th July 2018).

At the end of the scheme, which finishes on Sunday, 9th September, there will be a prize draw for all those who complete the challenge, with a selection of fantastic prizes donated by local businesses.

Councillor Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for libraries, said: “Last year, over 1,000 children completed the Summer Reading Challenge and I hope this year even more will get involved.

“It’s a great way of getting children to enjoy reading, something which is of vital importance to their education, as well as keeping them entertained through the summer holidays.”

The team are also on the hunt for more volunteers to run the project, helping with registration, handing out the incentives to the children on their visits and listening to children discuss the books they have read.

If you’re interested in volunteering, or would like to know more, please email Molly at LVolunteers@swindon.gov.uk