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Six Book Challenge: launching now for 2009
The Reading Agency is now offering new Six Book Challenge materials and training for 2009, after a highly-successful first year of activity.
The Six Book Challenge was launched in 2008 and encourages emergent readers to develop a reading habit through choosing, reading and expressing their views about books. It forms part of the Vital Link programme for libraries and literacy run by The Reading Agency. People are invited to read six books, and are supported by incentives and creative reading activity.
In 2008, an estimated 7,000 adults took part through public libraries working with colleges, community learning, trade unions, prisons and other learning providers. This makes the Six Book Challenge, which is targeted at emergent readers (Entry Level 3 - Level 2, text readability 9 - 14), a proven method of engaging existing and potential learners in reading for pleasure as part of their skills development. Case studies of successful Challenge completers from around the UK are available.
The Reading Agency is offering new Six Book Challenge materials for 2009. These can be ordered through The Reading Agency's shop at www.readingagency.org.uk . The main Six Book Challenge activity will run from January to June 2009, but organisations are welcome to use the scheme at any time during the year. The Reading Agency is also offering training to support organisations running the Challenge: please visit: www.readingagency.org.uk/new-thinking/training/
The Six Book Challenge is run in association with Costa who will be offering a national prize draw for those who complete the Challenge by the end of June. A separate prize draw will be offered for prisons and young offender institutions. Best-selling novelist Mike Gayle is continuing his valuable role as Patron of the Challenge.
The Six Book Challenge was originally piloted successfully by libraries across Yorkshire in 2007 with around 1,000 participants. Libraries found it an excellent way of working with learning providers. Tutors were convinced that it can really help their learners, and adult learners felt a real sense of achievement. (See 'Notes to editors' for more background information and statistics.)
For more information on the Six Book Challenge visit: www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk or contact Genevieve Clarke: 01672 562080 or genevieve.clarke@readingagency.org.uk
What Six Book Challenge 2008 participants have said:
'I never thought I could read one book, never mind six! I feel so proud. I've never felt so good about myself. I feel like I can do anything now.' Noleen Vine, Challenge completer, Warrington.
'I can definitely see the benefits of the Six Book Challenge. I would love to run it next year and hopefully make it even better!' Melissa Kosar, Learning Zone, Transport for London.
'We will be running the Six Book Challenge in 2009 by popular demand from adult tutors and learners.' Andrew Fisher, Reading & Development Librarian, Dorset Libraries.
For more media information please contact Debbie Hyde
07956 320 486 or debbie.hyde@oasismedia.co.uk
Briefing document (500 words) issued 5 Sep 2008
