The winners with the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Ann Stribley and Kevin McErlane, Head of Culture and Community Learning, Borough of Poole and Sue Wills, Poole Library Service Manager.
Children and families have attended Poole Library Services’ award ceremony in recognition of their outstanding efforts with this year’s Record Breakers themed Summer Reading Challenge.
Held at Hamworthy Library, the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Ann Stribley, presented certificates and prizes to young volunteers, trophies to the winning school – Broadstone First School; the most improved school -Talbot Primary School and the winning library – Creekmoor Library.
Almost 2700 children in Poole enjoyed this year’s challenge and all those who completed the challenge to read six books received a medal and certificate and incentives along the way.
Parent Sarah Sanford, said: “My daughter loved Record Breakers; the stickers, ruler, chunky medal and certificate were great incentives to get her reading. By taking part we were able to encourage her reading which I think has helped her lots when going back to school after the summer.”
Michelle Stone, headteacher from winning school, Broadstone First School said: “We are thrilled that children and parents share our passions for the importance of reading and we would like to give thanks to Poole Libraries for organising the fantastic awards ceremony.”
Children enjoyed a variety of free activities and each library acted as an official Guinness World Records pledging centre. Look out for the 2016 edition of the Guinness World Records book, which contains mention of the UK-wide attempt.
Over 350 children entered colouring competitions linked into the Record Breaking theme and children collected prizes sponsored by local businesses.
As part of the Poole Libraries’ events programme, the longest, tallest, smallest, creatures took over three libraries, courtesy of Zoolab; artist Lucy Jackson helped children to create collages and sculptures; authors Emer Stamp, Ella Burfoot and Heather Chamberlain talked about their books and the loudest shakers were made at a Beatbudz session.
Next year’s theme, which has just been announced as the ‘Big Friendly Read,’ will link into the all-time favourite author Roald Dahl, whose centenary will be in 2016.
Poole Libraries are keen to hear from businesses, schools and groups who may wish to support Poole Libraries in encouraging children to continue to enjoy reading for pleasure in 2016.
