This National Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June)Hampshire County Council’s Library Service is calling out to all adults and teenagers to encourage them to volunteer for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Volunteers need to be aged 14 and over and able to spend just a few hours at their local library each week over the course of the summer. They will not only be supporting their local library but, more importantly, helping children, aged 4-11years, complete the Reading Agency’s goal of completing six books over the holidays.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “Volunteers do a fantastic job in a range of roles across our libraries and the Summer Reading Challenge provides a great opportunity to engage children and young people with reading in fun and creative ways throughout the summer holidays.
“As a Summer Reading Challenge volunteer, you will work alongside staff, getting involved in a variety of tasks such as helping children enrol onto the challenge, recommending books to them and then listening to their feedback as they read each of their six chosen titles.”
“Every year, Hampshire libraries welcome thousands of children and young people through their doors over the summer, and our volunteers make all the difference to their positive experience of what’s on offer.”
Pauline Corrigan, from Waterlooville, has volunteered for the Summer Reading Challenge for the last seven years. She explains what she enjoys about volunteering at her local library.
She said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is all about the children and it’s great to see the chuffed look on their faces as the weeks go on. Regardless of reading ability, I like encouraging all the children to just enjoy reading - that’s very rewarding.
“Volunteering enables me to meet new people and make new friends in my local community. If you have a few spare hours a week, I would encourage people to give it a go.”
You can register your interest as a Summer Reading Challenge volunteer in the 14-18category or the over 18 category online at www.hants.gov.uk/library.
The Summer Reading Challenge runs from 14 July to 16 September.This year’s theme is Mischief Makers, in honour of the 80thanniversary of The Beano, a firm childhood favourite for many.