Summer Reading Challenge 2022

Do you have some spare time this summer? Would you like to help your local community? Why not volunteer to help with the Summer Reading Challenge at your local library!

The Summer Reading Challenge runs in public libraries every year, between July and September, and ‘challenges’ children aged between 4 and 11 to read six books during their summer break from school. 

This year's challenge is 'Gadgeteers', developed in partnership with the Science Museums Group. The challenge aims to show children that science is all around us every day and inspire them to unleash their curiosity and creativity.

The importance of summer reading

Children's reading can dip during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure.

In previous years, The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge has encouraged over 700,000 children to regularly visit libraries and read books during their summer holidays.

There is no other free reading activity that involves so many children, introduces families to their library, encourages children to choose books freely and independently and is endorsed by parents, teachers and the Department for Education.

Getting involved

If you are interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you. Volunteers are a vital part of how we run the Challenge in public libraries. We need volunteers who can encourage children to complete the challenge by talking to them about the books they have read, helping them to choose their next read and handing out rewards of stickers, posters and medals. 

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with your local community and can be added to CVs and personal statements. You do not need any previous experience of volunteering or working in a library.

For more information about this volunteering role, please read our role description and take a look at our Summer Reading Challenge information page. You will find a link to the online application form here or please contact us if you would prefer a paper copy. 

This year we are looking for volunteers to help at The Campus, For All Healthy Living Centre, the Mobile library (selected stops), Nailsea, Pill, Portishead, Weston, Winscombe, Worle, and Yatton libraries. 

Due to the refurbishment of Clevedon Library in 2022, there will be limited volunteering opportunities at this location. We are encouraging volunteers based in Clevedon to consider supporting the Challenge at Nailsea, Yatton, Portishead, or other nearby libraries.

The closing date for volunteering applications is Monday 13 June 2022.

This is a short-term volunteering opportunity between Saturday 9 July and Saturday 10 September 2022 and is open to adults and young people aged 14 and over. Flexible volunteering sessions are available at libraries across North Somerset and full training will be provided.