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Children aged between 4 and 11 from across South Gloucestershire are encouraged to sign up to read books they enjoy over the school summer holidays as part of the 21st annual Summer Reading Challenge, 2020.
The Challenge opened on 25 July and is being delivered by South Gloucestershire Council’s Library Service to support children to become more independent readers and improve their confidence in reading over the summer break. It also supports positive mental wellbeing, boosting children’s confidence and self-esteem.
This year, the theme of the Challenge is fun and laughter and has been titled ‘Silly Squad’, with children and families able to pick up a special Summer Reading Challenge Bag free from their library to do the Challenge at home. The bags contain everything children need to get started including a joining poster and scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers.
Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr June Bamford said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic initiative which has proved extremely popular over the years. It feels like it is needed now more than ever with it being likely that children will be spending more time at home over the summer holiday, so we are delighted that we can provide them with an opportunity to take part once again this summer.
“Not only does the Summer Reading Challenge help children with their reading as they get ready to return to school, it also supports mental wellbeing and boosts confidence and self-esteem. We hope this year’s theme of fun and laughter will inspire all children to enjoy reading this summer.”
Amanda Harris is a parent of a child aged 10 who has taken part in previous Summer Reading Challenges, she said: “I think the Summer Reading Challenge is lovely. My daughter does it every year and really enjoys it. She loves reading and it improves her reading and creativity each year.”
You can order a Summer Reading Challenge Bag for your child using our click and collect service www.sglibraries.eventbrite.com, phone 01454 865022 or collect one from your local library.
Children can also take part online at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk where they are rewarded with fun activities and incentives along the way, such as online badges, games and videos.
To find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge, borrowing library books and our great range of free eBooks, eAudiobooks and eComics, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sgloslibraries for the latest updates and activities.
Address: High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH
Phone: 01454 868006
Email:
Website: www.librarieswest.org.uk or www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries
Library opening hours vary over bank holidays.
Click here to view seasonal hours.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9.30am to 6.30pm |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 9.30am to 12.30pm |
| Saturday | 9.30am to 12.30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Although South Gloucestershire Council provide our books etc. it is up to the Friends of Chipping Sodbury Library to raise funds for other items such as cushions for our children's reading area.
The library has enlarged and improved the children’s area to include a magnetic chalkboard, table and chairs and a reading bench. This area is used regularly for story time and craft activities.
The Friends hold book sales to help raise funds, and would be grateful for donations of children's books to sell.
Please note these books cannot be added to library stock.
Following a campaign by local residents, who formed a Friends of Chipping Sodbury Library group, South Gloucestershire Council agreed not to close Chipping Sodbury Library as part of their 2017 savings measures.
With the help of the Gruffalo, Chipping Sodbury library was successfully relaunched in October 2017 as a Community Library run by volunteers.
South Glos Libraries continue to provide books, CDs, DVDs and IT support for the three computers, along with a self-service machine.
A call for volunteers resulted in over forty people coming forward to help and, with support from Sodbury Town Council, they now staff the library so users can continue to enjoy it.
It continues to offer the same services as it did before and, in addition, is open all day on Wednesday when Yate library is shut.
The large team of volunteers are enthusiastically learning the ropes and are very grateful for the patience being shown by users.
They are more than happy to give their time to keep the library open and enjoy helping people get the most out of it.
A lot of effort went into persuading South Glos Council not to close the library, so please come in and use it so that we can prove to them that they made the right decision.
@mysodbury