About the Summer Reading Challenge

The national Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) is organised by The Reading Agency and runs in 97% of UK library authorities.

Each year the SRC has a different theme - for summer 2008 it is ‘Team Read’.

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to visit their local library during the summer holidays and to enjoy reading books of their own choice outside of school.  Their personal challenge is to read six different library books during the summer holidays and the SRC™ offers a range of exciting incentives to help them on their way.  This year these include membership cards, pens, stretchy toys and kit bags, as well as promotional materials for library use.

Materials are also available in Welsh/English bilingual versions, and for children with visual impairment.

Children borrow and read up to 6 books during the summer, collecting stickers for each book they read. At the end of the summer they get a certificate recording their achievement, and/or a medal if they have completed the challenge. In many cases, library services offer children the chance to talk with library staff about their books, and to attend linked activities and events at the library.

From June 2008 there will be a special summer reading challenge Team Read website for children, with games, author blogs, and the chance for children to feedback about the challenge and their favourite reads.

As well as helping children discover the pleasure and excitement of reading, this initiative encourages them to read and discuss books in a lively and engaging manner, making the most of their local library during the summer.

The Summer Reading Challenge empowers children by encouraging them to make their own book selection, taking full advantage of the library professionals on hand to help advise them, and share their choices with their peers.

By completing the challenge children have a genuine sense of achievement associated with the library. Last year, more than 650,000 children took part in The Big Wild Read, and 52% (338,000) read 6 or more books during the summer.

Library services find the Summer Reading Challenge a valuable tool for forming and strengthening partnerships with schools, with local authority partners, and with local commercial partners who can see the benefits of association with the scheme.

In the National Year of Reading there will be extra support for reaching out to target audiences through Team Read, for example boys and dads, and Looked After Children.  We'll be sharing ideas on how to involve volunteers in the Summer Reading Challenge, a growing resource that can help with delivery in libraries with stretched staffing.