The sun’s out, the holidays are looming and ‘Better’ libraries across the UK have launched the Summer Reading Challenge for children!

‘Better’ Libraries are operated by charitable social enterprise GLL – the largest public libraries provider in the UK.

This year, the theme is Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors. The aim is to encourage reading during the summer break.

Children can sign up for the challenge at their local library where they can also collect a poster and stickers. If they read six library books over the holidays and before 14 September, they’ll be awarded a medal.

Research carried out by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) indicates that reading for pleasure is the biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more important than either parents’ educational background or household income.

‘Better’ libraries in Bromley, Dudley, Greenwich, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth are run by charitable social enterprise GLL in partnership with local authorities. Supporting local wellbeing is an important part of the organisation’s ethos – libraries are seen as a ‘barometer’ of the health of local communities.

“This year’s theme inspires children to explore the magical connection between storytelling and nature,” said Rebecca Gediking, GLL’s National Head of Libraries..

“There will be a whole range of free activities taking place in the libraries, including creating wind chimes, butterfly gardens and a vegetable patch. There will also be visits from animals and authors – check our website or social media pages to see what’s happening or give your local library a call.”

To find out what’s happening in Better Libraries, go to: www.better.org.uk/libraryopen_in_new

The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries.

For more information, visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.ukopen_in_new