Summer Reading Challenge is now on at Bedford Central Library
Marvellous Makers is the theme for the Summer Reading Challenge 2024 at Bedford Borough Libraries. It runs from Saturday 13 July through to Saturday 7 September and promises to be a free and exciting programme designed to keep children aged four to eleven engaged with reading throughout the summer holidays.
Children are invited to earn rewards for reading through the summer, as well as completing a fun activity pack which includes scratch and sniff stickers.
Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience, said, “This year’s Summer Reading Challenge promises to be a fantastic adventure for young minds and I encourage all young budding inventors, storytellers and creative minds to join in!
“The ‘Marvellous Makers’ theme is all about encouraging children to use their imaginations and explore the world of storytelling through reading. We hope this programme inspires a lifelong love of books and libraries.”
Children will receive a bookmark when they join, with spaces for eighteen stamps. They will then receive a stamp each time they return a book they’ve read to a library. There are three rewards to collect once children have read six, twelve, and eighteen books. The first reward is a special Marvellous Maker certificate, the second a door hanger, and the third is the much-loved Summer Reading Challenge medal.
All library books count towards the challenge, so children can enjoy picture books, storybooks, joke books, poetry books, as well as books full of facts. Audiobooks are included too, so children who prefer listening to library books won’t miss out. Children can request books for free on the Bedford Borough Libraries website or app and by asking staff in the libraries.
There will also be free craft activities running throughout the summer, such as junk modelling, pop-up piranha’s and dragon suncatchers. Lego clubs, craft clubs, and story times will also run through the holidays. Library events and activities can be found at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/libraries/your-local-library-opening-times-facilities-and-activities.
All children are welcome to join the Summer Reading Challenge, even if they are not yet library members. It is free for people of any age to join Bedford Borough Libraries. A parent or guardian will need to complete a form during staffed hours for children to join a library. It is also possible to join online at any time and then collect a library card during staffed hours. Parents and carers must remain with children under 14 in the libraries.
The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by libraries and produced by The Reading Agency.
