Record-breaking bid kicks off Summer Reading Challenge

People young and old in Stone have been urged to make a pledge or promise related to reading – and help set a new Guinness World Record.

The national world record attempt launches ‘Record Breakers’, this year’s annual Summer Reading Challenge in local libraries.

The popular scheme, which takes on a different theme each year, offers youngsters between four and 11 a fun way to keep up their reading levels during the long school break.

Children who sign up are encouraged to read six or more library books of their choice during the summer holidays, collect stickers to chart their progress and receive a certificate and medal when they complete the challenge.

Over the National Pledging Weekend of Friday 10th July to Monday 13th July, every adult and child across Staffordshire is being urged to visit one of a number of official pledging venues, and play their part in setting a new Guinness World Record for the greatest number of people making a pledge. Children can pledge to visit the library and read over the summer,  young volunteers to support and encourage children to complete the challenge, and adults to encourage people they know to read with children.

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To set the record, over 100,000 people across the country are needed to pledge their support over the national pledging weekend.

Stone Library’s pledging date is the morning of  Friday 10th July.  Glenys Sanders from Stone Lions will be acting as lead witness.

County Councillor Ben Adams, cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: “It’s really exciting for this fantastic reading scheme to be part of a world record attempt this summer, and I know our dedicated library staff and small army of volunteers will be doing all they can to help Staffordshire meet the challenge.”

Penkridge schoolgirl Shannon Oakey aged eight, says she is really excited about joining the Summer Reading Challenge with her school, St. Michael’s First School.  She said: “The best thing about reading is using your imagination.”

The Reading Agency, which co-ordinates the Summer Reading Challenge with public libraries across the UK, hope to announce the result of the new Guinness World Record attempt before the start of the school holidays.

For more information on this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, or how and when to make your pledge,  please contact your local library, or visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/libraries or www.readingagency.org.uk