Launch of new Summer Reading Challenge and official opening of Falmouth Library’s new children’s section on Sat 5 July

Children and their families are invited to join in the fun at Falmouth Library from 10am on Saturday 5 July as we celebrate the official opening of the Library’s newly refurbished children’s section alongside the launch of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge: Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors!

Official Opening by the Town Mayor

Town Mayor, Cllr Alan Jewell, will officially open the family-friendly space at 10am and will also introduce this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, an annual challenge designed to encourage children aged 4-11 to keep reading through the summer holidays.

Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is presented by The Reading Agency – a UK charity which inspires social and personal change through the proven power of reading – and delivered in partnership with libraries.

This year’s theme is ‘Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors’, encouraging children to explore the connection between storytelling and nature. By registering for the Challenge at the Library from 5th July, children can set a reading goal and collect rewards for reading anything they enjoy

Free art workshop with local artist Sam Bradbury

To celebrate the both the opening of the new library space and the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge, the Library is also holding a free art workshop with local artist Sam Bradbury based on the Story Garden theme. Families are welcome to drop in between 10.30am-12pm to collage their own leafy animals created with cut outs and skeleton leaves.

A brand-new Library space for children and families

Library Manager Jayne Cardew says:

“We’re delighted to open the new space up to children and families and hope they will find it a welcoming environment in which to nurture a love of reading. Bigger, lighter and brighter, we’ve incorporated cosy reading nooks as well as airy spaces where we can comfortably host our regular events such as Lego Club, Rhymetime and Storytime year-round.

“It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm for reading and excitement building around the Summer Reading Challenge on my visits to primary schools in and around the Falmouth area in recent weeks. With reading tending to drop off during the summer holiday period, the Challenge is proven to support the development of key literacy skills in children. Last year, Cornwall outperformed many areas in terms of participation – and with our lovely new library space now open with some fantastic books on offer, we’re hoping to top the table once again this year!”

Sign-ups for the Summer Reading Challenge take place in Falmouth Library during regular opening hours. For information on opening times and regular Library events, please visit the Falmouth Library page.