Renfrewshire Council services win recognition at excellence awards
October 12, 2012Phase two of Gallowhill makeover underway
October 12, 2012
Six Book Challenge
More than 50 people who signed up for a reading challenge through Renfrewshire Libraries have been honoured at an awards ceremony.
Renfrewshire Libraries hosted an awards ceremony for those who took part in the Six Book Challenge.
Now in its fifth successful year, the Six Book Challenge was launched in 2008 by The Reading Agency, a charity which works to inspire more people to read more. It is promoted through libraries, adult education, prisons and workplaces.
This year Renfrewshire Libraries signed up over 50 participants through working with partners including Adult Learning and Literacies , the Disability Resource Centre and the STAR Project.
On the night, held in Paisley Central Library, author, playwright and poet, Des Dillon, who has himself written material for emergent readers, gave a talk on the importance of reading.
Certificates were presented to each of the participants by Councillor Iain McMillan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Community and Family Care Policy Board.
Councillor McMillan said: “The Six Book Challenge is a great way of inspiring more people to take up reading. By working with our partners, our libraries service were able to sign up more local people to take part. They’ve each done a fantastic job and I was delighted to present them with their awards.”
The Six Book Challenge is a UK-wide annual incentive scheme that encourages less confident adult readers to develop a reading habit through choosing, reading and expressing their views about books. Research confirms that engagement in reading for pleasure through the Six Book Challenge increases confidence, motivation and skills.
Also on the night, Emma Richardson from the STAR Project spoke about the impact the challenge had on her group.
She said: “Through taking part in this challenge, parents have grown more confident in reading along with their children. As a result families have become more motivated to come along and join the library.”
