North Yorkshire libraries are looking for enthusiastic young people aged between 13 and 24 to help to run Mischief Makers, this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Every year, thousands of children flock to their library to take part in this national scheme and libraries need young volunteers to help.
The Summer Reading Challenge, which is organised by the Reading Agency, is a North Yorkshire success story. More than 10,000 children are expected to participate this year. By taking part as a volunteer, you will help to open the door to even more children becoming enthusiastic readers and will gain valuable skills and experience for your personal statement or CV.
Volunteers will be involved in registering children for the challenge, helping them to choose books, talking to them about the books they have read and assisting with library events. Volunteers will receive a free volunteer pack, which will include a T-shirt and a certificate.
North Yorkshire County Councillor Greg White, Executive Member for Libraries, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a great incentive to encourage children to read and use libraries over the summer. Every year it gets better and better and more and more children join in.
“This is a wonderful volunteering opportunity for young people to gain experience of working with children by encouraging them to complete the challenge and to promote the library as a place of wonder, excitement and fun. If you enjoy working with children and would like to play a part in encouraging them to read and have fun over the school holidays, we’d love to hear from you.”
The Mischief Makers theme of this year’s challenge is inspired by the 80th anniversary of the much-loved comic, the Beano. The publication will bring its unique brand of humour to the Summer Reading Challenge to help celebrate reading, creativity, friendship and fun as children explore a map of Beanotown to find mysterious buried treasure and become ultimate mischief makers.
To find out about volunteering opportunities at your local library, visit the library or email libraries@northyorks.gov.uk. Please apply before the start of the challenge on 14 July.
Children aged between four and 11 will be able to sign up from 14 July to take the challenge of reading at least six library books of their choice, collecting stickers and other incentives along the way. For more information, visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.