Children get ready for Team Read (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Children get ready for Team Read

12:12pm Saturday 12th July 2008 in Wiltshire By Gazette Reporter

Wiltshire County Council-run libraries are encouraging four to 11 year-olds to make the most of their long break from the classroom by joining them in the Team Read. Children will be set the challenge of reading six or more books of their own choice during the holidays, receiving incentives along the way.

This year's Summer Reading Challenge, Team Read, will be accompanied by sport and Olympic themed activities which will all help to fire the children's imagination.

Children choose books to read with family and friends, and then talk to library staff about what they have read. They receive a holographic membership card on first registering and collect rewards to mark their progress, including a poster and stickers plus a medal and certificate on completion.

Team Read is not a competition, but a personal challenge which offers reading inspiration and incentives to encourage children into libraries during this - the National Year of Reading.

It's created and run by The Reading Agency, an independent charity working to bring more reading to more people, in partnership with the UK library network.

Last year more than 3000 children completed the challenge and many more took part.

Children are being encouraged to visit their library to pick up their membership cards as soon as possible while stocks last. A number of packs with larger print are available for children who might benefit from these.

The Team Read website supports children who take up the challenge with complementary activities, quizzes and games. It also gives children the chance to read author blogs, review books and enjoy some well earned summer fun. For more information visit www.teamread.co.uk.

A spokesperson for The Reading Agency said: "When training for a sport, it helps athletes to have a goal. With support and encouragement from coaches along the way, everyone can be trained to reach that goal and feel a real sense of pride in what they have achieved. Team Read gives children the encouragement they need during the summer to stretch themselves in terms of reading, a goal with long-lasting results."

Sarah Hillier, county children's librarian at Wiltshire County Council, said: "Team Read is all about sharing reading, with families, friends and library staff. It's also about children stretching themselves in their reading, and library staff look forward to helping children do this. We hope lots of children will enjoy taking part during this - the National Year of Reading, and parents will find it's the perfect way to keep their youngsters happy in the long summer break."

Some Wiltshire libraries are holding special Team Read launches, these include:

• Salisbury Library is having a Family Fun Time, "Team Read Warm-up" and Summer Reading Challenge activities morning on Saturday July 26 from 10.30am to 12pm. This is for ages four and over.

• Bradford on Avon Library on Friday July 18. Come and sign up early and join the "Team Read" and begin your reading challenge. There will be dressing up as your favourite book character, a quiz, lots of new books, refreshments and a prize draw. From 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Suitable for age's four to 11.

• Marlborough Library on Friday July 18. Children can call in anytime between 4.30 and 6.00pm and register for the challenge and collect their first set of books to read. There will also be a fiendishly difficult treasure hunt in the library to tackle. This event is free and tickets are not needed.

• Pewsey Library on Saturday July 19. The library will be open between 10.00 and 12.00 especially for children to register for the challenge and collect their first set of books to read. There will also be a fiendishly difficult treasure hunt in the library to tackle. This event is free and tickets are not needed.