Children enthusiastic about Libraries’ new reading programme

Christchurch children love to read and the Christchurch City Libraries’ Summertime Reading Club shows just how much.

The club for children aged 5 to 13 years is setting new reading records with 80 reading logs submitted on the opening day of 17 December, setting the scene for the reading overdrive. With two weeks still to go, club members have already gone past the 2,400 books logged in the 2009/2010 summer season.

To reward all this reading, 500 mini prize packs of a bookmark, badge and pool entry voucher have been awarded to those who complete their mandatory six-book log. And all members are in the final draw for four prize packs from Barrington Paper Plus, with an extra grand prize of an iPod Touch for one lucky reader.

“The club provides a high-quality incentive programme that motivates children to read,” says Carolyn Robertson, Manager Libraries and Information. Outreach staff also visited eight primary schools to promote the club, which contributed to the enthusiasm for the programme.

“The Summertime Reading Club has surpassed all expectations this year,” Mrs Robertson says. With about a week to go in the competition, Christchurch City Libraries expects to hit a total of over 3600 books read between 17 December 2010 and 21 January 2011.

“Children involved in summer time reading programmes have been shown to have very positive outcomes in behavioural, educational, and psychological areas. Such programmes help to counter what educationalists call the ‘summer slide’, in which the average student loses the equivalent of almost a month of instruction during the summer break from structured educational activities.”

The prize giving ceremony will be held at Barrington Paper Plus from 4 - 5 pm on 28 January.
“Paper Plus owners, Mark and Nadine Adams are enthusiastic supporters of Christchurch City Libraries’ children’s reading programmes and enjoy hosting the prize giving in their store,” says Mrs Robertson.

ENDS

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