Summer Reading Challenge ready to launch in Swindon

This year’s theme is Wild World Heroes and aims to promote how people can help make a difference to the environment around them.

You will be able to register online for the Challenge from July 10th by visiting https://srcswindon.wordpress.com.  Once you have registered, staff will contact you to let you know when to visit the library to pick up your Summer Reading Challenge pack.

The website has plenty of activities for people to get involved in and will even include book recommendations from volunteers, schools and library staff.

There will also be information about a brand new initiative from one of our fantastic volunteers called Swindon Nature Watch where families can let us know what wildlife they spot around Swindon.

This will all get plotted onto Google Maps for people to explore.

When children register with their local library they will collect a special Summer Reading Challenge bag that will contain some goodies including a Nature Trail from the National Literacy Trust, a special Swindon Libraries Reading Bingo Activity and an official Summer Reading Challenge certificate.

Allyson Jordan, Head of Libraries and Information Service, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge first started in 1999 and has become a much loved tradition in libraries across the UK.

“Each year the Challenge encourages over 700,000 children to keep reading to build their skills and confidence. We have adapted the Challenge, in response to the pandemic, and are excited to offer an online registration process.

“This year, children will also be able to request a lucky dip selection of books to borrow from the library after they’ve registered, all chosen by our knowledgeable staff.

“Our Children’s Patron and award-winning local author and illustrator, Steve Antony, will be launching his annual competition for Swindon Libraries and Information Service called You Can! We value the work Steve does with us and are looking forward to seeing all the entries this year.”

Patron of Swindon Libraries, author and illustrator Steve Antony, added: “Every year I look forward to holding a creative competition with Swindon Libraries to coincide with the Summer Reading Challenge. It really is such a fun way for families to engage with their local library, and I look forward to seeing all of this year's entries.

Councillor Tim Swinyard, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Place, said: “It’s great to see the Summer Reading Challenge return to Swindon for another year.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for young readers across the town to get involved and experience some amazing stories that can only be told on paper.”

To register your child, all they need is an active library account which you can check here: https://bit.ly/SLISLogin or if they’re not already registered, you can sign up here for free: https://bit.ly/SLISJoinLibrary