Wanted: Reading buddies for young space hoppers
The annual Summer Reading Challenge, run by Warwickshire County Council libraries to promote reading during the school holidays, is looking for teenage volunteers.
The Challenge theme for 2010 is Space Hop and reading buddies are needed to help make sure it’s a sky-high success.
Volunteer buddies aged 14 to 17 will be asked to work in their local library for up to 15 hours over the summer, helping younger children to register for the Challenge, and talking with them about the books they have read.
Stella Thebridge, Service Development Officer, said: "We are excited about offering this opportunity to young people in Warwickshire. Library services elsewhere have shown that volunteers really enjoy working with younger readers - and that younger children enjoy doing the challenge alongside teenagers just a bit older than them.”
There is a simple volunteer application process which can be completed online (at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries) or at any one of Warwickshire’s 34 libraries. Application packs will be available from Monday March 22 and forms need to be in by Monday April 26.
The Summer Reading Challenge has been running for several years and encourages four to 12-year-olds to carry on reading through the long summer holidays, when schoolchildren’s interest in books otherwise tends to drop.
They can join the Challenge for free at any Warwickshire library, and receive stickers and other incentives for taking part. Those who read a total of six books over the summer are awarded a medal and certificate. Craft workshops and other supporting activities are organised every year.