Make LibraryPlus your destination this summer

On Saturday 9 July, Northamptonshire LibraryPlus is launching two exciting challenges which everyone can join in with.

Children aged 4-11 years old are being asked to sign up to read six books this summer as part of Gadgeteers, Summer Reading Challenge 2022.

The Summer Reading Challenge, which is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries, asks children to read, or listen to six books over the summer. This year the Reading Agency have teamed up with Science Museum Group for a very special science-themed Challenge that will inspire children to use their imagination and creativity!

To take part in Gadgeteers, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library, where they will be given a collector’s poster to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.

As children read, or listen to, books they will receive special stickers, some with mysterious smells. By adding these stickers to their collectors poster, young readers will help the gadgeteers to understand the science behind a whole range of interests from fashion and technology to cooking and music. When they complete the challenge, they will receive a certificate and medal.

There is also a whole programme of free, fun activities planned in libraries for families to take part in over the summer and you can book a place at your local library.

But why should children have all the fun? Following the success of the award winning “For the Love of Books” adult reading challenge, LibraryPlus are also launching “For the Love of Books – Summer Six” on the 9 July.

Adult readers can join the challenge to read six books over the summer, in LibraryPlus libraries, and if you want to broaden your reading horizons you can choose books from our six suggested categories. If you complete the challenge you can enter a prize draw to win a £20 voucher for bookshop.org which supports independent bookshops.

It would be fantastic if teachers, parents and carers, and grandparents could take part in the Summer Six challenge and be reading role models for children taking part in Gadgeteers.

As if this wasn’t enough, the second series of the LibraryPlus podcast “For the Love of Books – the LibraryPlus podcast” will run for the duration of the summer and is available from all major podcast platforms. There will be a new episode each month which celebrates books and reading, with guests who use books and reading in different ways. Guests this series include Read Easy, a national charity which provides free, confidential one-to-one reading coaching for adults, Hayley Barton, from the University of Northampton who is running an intergenerational reading project, and Northampton Association for the Blind.

Cllr Helen Howell, North Northamptonshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “This year's theme - 'Gadgeteers' - will spark children's curiosity about the world around them, focusing on inspiring children to see the science and innovation behind everyday objects, showing that reading and science are for everyone.

“The challenge and the accompanying book collection will show that imagination can unlock endless possibilities, and the local library is where this starts.

“It’s also tremendously exciting that adults can now take part in the fun too. I look forward to hearing about just how many books our library goers get through in the coming months!”

Cllr Adam Brown, West Northamptonshire Council's Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said: “Reading is both an essential skill and a fulfilling pastime, and activities like the Summer Reading Challenge aim to instil a love of books in people of all ages.

“In the modern world it can be difficult to find time to sit down and get lost in a good book, however our LibraryPlus service offers a wide range of digital and audio books in addition to physical copies, ensuring that even more people are able to get involved with this fantastic challenge."

Gadgeteers launches in libraries across Northamptonshire on Saturday 9 July, and runs until  17 September. For the Love of Books – Summer Six launches on 9 July and runs until 3 September.

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