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Library card for every child
Published: 22/05/2014
Welsh libraries and primary schools are joining forces to provide every primary
school child with a free library card - starting with children aged 8/9 in six
local authorities - Blaenau Gwent, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Powys
and Swansea.
Launching the initiative in Buckley Library on Tuesday 20 May Councillor Chris
Bithell, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education said: “Over
42,000 Welsh children took part in last year’s Summer Reading Challenge which
ran in 245 libraries across the country.
“Those children that took part maintained or improved their reading levels and
libraries across Flintshire are hoping to build on this by giving every child
the opportunity to use their library to borrow books and access all the other
services available to them.”
As champion of the new initiative, Dr Rhys Jones - best known for his hit BBC
series including ‘Rhys to the Rescue’ and ‘Dr Rhys Jones’s Wildlife Patrol’
said: “Libraries are such an important resource - they are a great place for
children to let their imagination grow and to develop and it is vitally
important that we encourage our children to read more not only to improve their
literacy levels but also to help them with life skills and future
opportunities.”
Year Four pupils from Drury Primary School attended the launch event and their
teacher Mr Jack Crompton commented: “Getting the children out of school and
into the library enabling them to pick their own books and hearing them discuss
their favourites is wonderful. And if we can encourage all children to use the
library it will no doubt have a beneficial effect on how they perform in the
classroom too.”
This library card will allow the children to borrow books straight away and get
a free goodie bag to carry their books home with them. Once proof of address is
provided, they can then have access to thousands of free books as well as many
more resources to help improve their school work and enhance their leisure
time, including free fiction, non-fiction, comics, graphic novels and talking
books; free homework help - online and in the library; free computer use and
internet access and free e-books and e-magazines.
This project also compliments the Welsh Government’s “Make Time to Read”
campaign, just 10 minutes reading a day can make a big difference. Reading
books at home will help you enjoy reading and do better at school.
For more information please visit: www.welshlibraries.org/schools
Photo caption: Children from Drury Primary School with Dr Rhys Jones at the
launch event.