17/08/2012 -
Summer Reading Challenge a Major Success
Over 300 children in County Sligo joined the Story Lab Reading Challenge, many of whom convened in Sligo Central Library recently for a presentation ceremony. Certificates and medals were presented to the children by Deputy Mayor of Sligo Councillor Matt Lyons and the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Veronica Cawley.
Deputy Mayor Lyons said this was the latest in a series of excellent projects delivered by the Library Service. ‘I have had the honour of attending many events at Sligo Central Library over the years, it is always a welcoming and pleasant environment, and it was heartening to see so many youngsters take up the ‘Reading Challenge’ with such enthusiasm.’
Children aged 4 to 11 were invited to read six books over the summer. They were given a pack when they joined and had stickers to collect on the way. The theme of Story Lab was a celebration of story and the imagination. Co-ordinated by The Reading Agency, this summer’s Reading Challenge ran in public libraries throughout the UK and Ireland, and had a link to the 2012 Olympics.
The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Veronica Cawley has commended the children who participated in Sligo Central Library’s ‘Story Lab’ Reading Challenge. ‘Any initiative which encourages and supports young people’s interest in reading is to be welcomed, and I would like to pay tribute to County Librarian Donal Tinney and the staff of Sligo Central Library for co-ordinating this programme.’
Twenty seven schools from County Sligo took part in the challenge, and there was even a ‘guest participant’, a young Celbridge girl in the North West on her holidays.
- Deputy Mayor Matt Lyons and Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Veronica Cawley at Sligo Central Library for the presentation of awards for the ‘Story Lab’ Reading Challenge
Background
The aim of the challenge was to keep children reading over the summer months and to borrow up to six books during July-August for all children aged 4-11 years. Everyone who signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge was able to keep track of the books they read and received encouragement to keep reading all summer long. Over 30,000 children in the UK and Ireland signed up to the Story Lab website http://story-lab.org.uk/ where they could join in the fun with Professor Cortex and the other Story Lab characters.
Some favorites reads this year included the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows, Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon, Horrible Histories series by Terry Deary, and Mr Men series by Roger Hargreaves.
Among the many benefits of the programme are the fact that Children who take part are more enthusiastic about reading, maintain their reading level over the holidays, return to school keen and ready to learn and boost their confidence and self esteem.