Read your way through summer with new Fife Reading Challenge

Get ready, set… read with Fife Libraries in a new summer challenge for readers of all ages across the Kingdom. 

And like all good challenges, there’s fantastic prizes to be won by the end of the summer.

The Fife Reading Challenge, which runs from Saturday 20 June until Monday 31 August, is a first. Previously, the summer reading challenge has been for children only but this year it’s been expanded so everyone can enjoy an adventure in words.

It means that families and friends can read together in a fun challenge, teens and teachers can catch up after the summer and share their favourite reads, or go solo and see where the challenge takes you.

There’s an animal-themed Reading Trail for children, featuring wildlife found across Fife, while adults signing up can get a loyalty card-style Reading Tracker to tick off their titles.

“No two readers are the same and your reading journey is a personal one, so you set your own goals,” said Sharron Brown, OnFife’s Young People and Families Engagement Co-ordinator.

“However, what we are challenging you to do is take an adventure and read outside your comfort zone.  Try some poetry or a book in translation, give an E-audio book a go on our Libby app, take on a non-fiction book or dip into the world of Manga with a graphic novel – the sky’s the limit.”

There are four inspiring events being held to launch the challenge:

• Marion Todd, author of the incredibly successful Detective Clare Mackay series, will be at Kirkcaldy Galleries on Thursday 18 June, 7.15-8.15pm.

• James Oswald, author of the ever-popular Inspector McLean Mysteries, will be at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries on Saturday 20 June, 2-3pm.

• Sara Cullen, whose debut novel is the tantalizing Young Adult crossover Blood Red Sky, will be at Rothes Halls on Saturday 27 June, 2-3pm.

• Ryan Crawford, life coach and author of the Cosmic Cadets series, will be hosting an online event for schools across Fife on Thursday 18 June. Tickets for the first three author events can be booked through www.onfife.com.

Sharron said: “We are super proud of what our Library teams have produced for our very first Fife Reading Challenge. We love creating a buzz about reading in our libraries and we encourage everyone, no matter if you’re an avid reader or even if you think you don’t enjoy reading, to take part.

“This year is the National Year of Reading so it’s the perfect time to go on your own personal reading journey with us this summer.”

You need to be a library member to take part but it’s easy and free to join, which you can do online through the OnFife website, www.onfife.com. Then if you’re a new or existing member, pop into any library branch from 20 June onwards to sign up for the challenge. Customers who use the Home Delivery service and can’t make it into a branch can speak to the library team on how to take part.

Everyone who signs up will be entered into a prize draw. Prizes will be age appropriate and will include gift bundles and vouchers.

Images: 

Donna Dewar, Cultural Services Assistant, with the Challenge’s Reading Trail and Reading Tracker. (Pic: OnFife)

Natacha Maillard. Cultural Services Assistant, with materials from the Fife Reading Challenge. (Pic: OnFife)

Fife Reading Challenge materials. (Pic: OnFife)

The Fife Reading Challenge Reading Trail for children. (Pic: OnFife)

Ends

For further information contact Sheona Small, Press & Communications Manager, 07809 727 989 or email sheona.small@onfife.com

Notes to editors:

OnFife is a registered charity and manages and operates theatres, libraries, museums and galleries and cultural partnerships on behalf of Fife Council for people living, working and visiting Fife.  Further information can be found at www.onfife.com