Summer reading programme popularity takes off

An Apple iPad2 is just one of the prizes up for grabs for young adults who take part in the summer reading programme run by the Invercargill City Libraries.

Outreach Librarian Kirsty Graham said registrations were filling up fast for the interactive summer reading challenge for young adults aged from year 9 up to 20 years of age. And as expected the children’s reading programme for children aged from Years 1 to 8 has had a huge response.

“It is so important for our children and young adults to continue developing and preserving their reading and writing skills over the summer.

“After the programmes last year, we have had feedback that some participants had even improved their reading skills and were more confident with comprehension and fluency.

“With a highly talked about iPad2 and other fantastic prizes up for grabs we are anticipating a large number of registrations for both programmes.” Miss Graham said.

Miss Graham said a challenge orientated programme where there were desirable prizes and positive reinforcement for their efforts would keep the literacy levels of teens peaking throughout their holidays and to promote active minds while away from school.

The young adult programme, Pursue 100, emulates a game, race or competition where contestants or participants must gain points via the types of literature they are reading.

When a review is submitted to the Invercargill Public Library or its branch library in Bluff, it will be screened for plagiarism and the appropriate points will be awarded to that challenger.

Once 100 points have been reached over the five week period each participant will be put into a draw, relevant to their points reached, to win a number of prizes that are desirable to the age group targeted.

For the duration of the young adult programme Library staff will be in constant contact with the participants via texting and emails in order to send encouragement and support to those involved.

Participants have until Friday, December 16 to sign up for the popular programmes, for more information contact the Library on 211 1444.