Success for this year's Summer Reading Challenge

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Hampshire County Council's Summer Reading Challenge - Story Lab, captured the imagination of a staggering 23,000 young children across Hampshire this year.

The Challenge is an annual event that takes place at all of Hampshire's Libraries and Discovery Centres. Aimed at four to 11 year olds, it encourages children to read six books over the school summer holidays.

Almost 15,000 children completed the challenge and received a medal and certificate.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said:

"I am delighted that so many children took up the summer reading challenge this year. It is a great way for children to maintain and improve their reading skills during the school holidays, before they return for the new term in September.

"This year's figures show a fantastic commitment from library staff and volunteers in getting children involved, and listening to youngsters talk about the books they have read."

This year saw Basingstoke Discovery Centre top the polls with the most starters and finishers (1,500 and 880) with Fleet and Farnborough libraries placed second and third. Fleet had 1,157 starters and 771 finishers, Farnborough had 1,069 starters and 726 finishers.

2012 SRC results

Library	Starters	Finishers
Andover	1,027	682
Eastleigh	696	416
Fareham	1,161	699
Gosport Discovery Centre	813	457
Hythe	670	471
Petersfield	763	480
Winchester Discovery Centre	863	485

Events and activities to keep children excited about reading are held in Libraries and Discovery Centres all year round.

• Find out what is happening in your local library

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