Big Reading Society: House of Commons launch for 2010 Summer Reading Challenge

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Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Communication, Culture and the Creative Industries, was among the MPs who helped launch The Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge at the House of Commons this week.

Ed Vaizey described the SRC as a powerful cultural and educational opportunity of national significance; it is undoubtedly an immensely popular and successful reading initiative, as all teachers, librarians and parents who have watched children take part over the last twelve years will affirm.

At the event Anne Sarrag, Director of the Summer Reading Challenge, shared with the audience of MPs, authors and publishers new research produced by UKLA into the SRC.  The research records that children who took part in last year’s challenge Quest Seekers saw it as an overwhelmingly positive experience. Teachers’ experience proved that the Challenge can contribute towards preventing the ‘summer holiday dip’ in reading motivation and attainment and that the SRC boosts children’s inclination to read at home and widens their reading range and repertoire (see below to download the report in full).

This year 750,000 children are expected to take part in the SRC.

Ed Vaizey cited the SRC as a tangible example of the roles libraries can play in building David Cameron’s Big Society, quoting as evidence the growing band of young volunteers supporting and working with children taking part.

Never one to miss an opportunity to lobby for the importance of reading, special guest Michael Rosen then emphasized the role for government in building reading communities.  “Don’t leave it to charities”, he urged the minister, “Prepare a statement of intent for all local authorities recommending they develop a policy on developing reading for pleasure.”   He is now preparing a first draft of such a statement for the minister.

To read the UKLA TRA document on the Summer Reading Challenge go to www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/schools/01-why-take-part

22nd July 2010