Young bookworms wanted for summer reading challenge at Milton Keynes libraries

Bookworms aged between 13 and 25 can take part in the Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge this year.

The team are looking for people who are passionate about books and friendly enough to talk about them with the children taking part in the challenge. The children will be aged between four and 11.

Last year over 3,000 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge with over 800,000 signing up nationally. The team is aiming to break that record with this year’s theme ‘The Big Friendly Read’ hoping to inspire children to read at least one book a week over the summer break with Roald Dahl’s best-loved characters and the amazing artwork of Sir Quentin Blake.

Cabinet Member for Libraries, Liz Gifford, said: “This is a great way to support your local library. There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to libraries, and encourages children to choose books freely and independently.”

Liz added:“We are asking volunteers to give us big smiles and a few hours and we’ll give you big thanks and some work experience along the way!”

Children receive special incentives as they read six library books for the challenge. Younger children can participate with picture books.

Applications are invited online at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/src by the closing date of Monday June 27 or pop into any library.