South Gloucestershire Libraries are giving every child in Year 6 their own library card to encourage children to read for pleasure and build a love of reading into their lives.
Having a library card and reading has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s learning and life chances, supporting them to thrive.
In the summer term, library cards were given to more than 3,000 children in Reception class. An additional 3,500 library cards will be given to young people in Year 6 this term to ensure the momentum and interest in reading is carried into the secondary phase.
Not only does the library card give instant access to a huge selection of books which are all free to borrow, it is a gateway to a host of free activities including Lego Clubs and Craft Activities, as well free internet access for homework support. The cards are ready to be activated at a South Gloucestershire Library during staffed open hours.
To inspire children to use their new library cards, Alex Wharton, award winning writer and performer of poetry and Children’s Laureate Wales, visited Cadbury Heath and Emersons Green Libraries in early December to meet Year 6 children from Parkwall Primary School, Cadbury Heath Primary School and Blackhorse Primary School where he read some of his poems.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for libraries at South Gloucestershire Council said: “Reading and free access to libraries is integral to children’s learning, well-being and development. Giving children library membership is an important investment by the council in the future of every child in South Gloucestershire. We believe this will have an impact in increasing the levels of literacy of all our children as well as encouraging a love of reading. It sits alongside other initiatives that the council are implementing to support children and young people to thrive.
“We know that for some families the process of joining a library can be a barrier to their child discovering the pleasure of reading and accessing free library services. By removing this barrier, we hope that every child in South Gloucestershire will be able to visit their library and see the benefits that library membership brings.”
For details of the scheme visit www.southglos.gov.uk/mylibrarycard
