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Jersey Library is launching this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, an annual event which challenges children to read six books during the summer holidays.
This year the theme is ‘Gadgeteers’, which encourages children to get creative and inventive over the coming weeks. For every book they read, children are given a sticker, and those who complete the challenge receive a medal and a certificate, given out at the library upon completion.
For the first time, Jersey Library has given every child in the island a reading diary, including all pre-schools and nurseries, so younger children and babies can take part in the challenge too. Everyone who has enjoyed a book with a parent or carer will receive a sticker.
This year every child who completes the Summer Reading Challenge will also receive a pass for a free swim at AquaSplash. Once a child has collected all their challenge stickers, they can claim a certificate, a medal and a pass that entitles them to one free swim at AquaSplash during a public swim session, to be used within six months of issue. Children under 8 must be supervised.
The Reading Challenge begins on Monday 4th July and children can read their first book in school, before carrying on with the Challenge in the Town Library, Communicare and mobile libraries over the summer.
Children have until Saturday 17 September to complete the challenge, giving them around 10 weeks to find, read and enjoy their six books.
Chief Librarian, Ed Jewell, said: “We are thrilled this year to be able to make the Summer Reading Challenge available to every child in Jersey, from small tots who are getting to grips with turning the pages of their first board books to older children who may already be avid readers.
“We want to remove any barriers that could impede children from developing a love of reading by giving free access to Jersey Library’s fantastic collections. Removing overdue fines earlier this year and waiving replacement card charges over the summer holidays are practical ways in which we can ensure our services are accessible to all families.
“We are also very grateful to the generosity of AquaSplash, for providing a free swim to every child who completes the Challenge. Together we are working to help keep children active, engaged and learning over the summer holidays, as well as having a lot of fun.”
