Information on Loughborough

Library Quest Seekers complete the reading challenge

Posted on 28/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

28 August 2009

Library Quest Seekers complete the reading challenge

Libraries in Leicestershire have been buzzing this summer after more than 13,000 children signed up to take part in Quest Seekers, the national Summer Reading Challenge.  

Children aged between four and 12 were challenged to read six books during the summer holidays - and many have done so.

Parents, grandparents and anyone looking after children during the summer are asked to encourage young Quest Seekers who haven’t yet completed their reading challenge to do so.

They need to visit the library before Saturday, 12th September to receive a certificate and other goodies.

Teachers say they can tell straight away which children have taken part in the Summer Reading Challenge - they go back to school in September ready to carry on with their reading and ready to learn.

Find out more about Quest Seekers at www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Notes for editors

Further information contact Val Plant, Development Librarian on 0116 305 3820.

Background notes

Libraries across Leicestershire are seeing an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself in a recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries during hard economic times - for cheaper entertainment, to help with employment, for free access to computers and to help them save money and be ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying.

Leicestershire Libraries have seen vast improvements recently as part of the £8 million transformation programme and staff are inviting the public to step into their local library to discover all the up to date services and facilities available for no or little cost.

Visitors will be supported by libraries over the coming months in their health, wellbeing, career prospects, lifestyle and general enjoyment by:

  • Stepping up to savings and improving finances – a free internet service where all the consumer price comparison and information websites are available, there are free books to borrow and you can have a cheap night in with a DVD that you can keep for a week
  • Stepping Up to success and improving job prospects – with free newspapers, free internet facilities and a large choice of titles for all sorts of learning and development
  • Stepping Out - alone or with friends and family to free events
  • Stepping Into the library’s welcoming surroundings where you can read all the latest best sellers for free and get up to date DVDs and audiobooks.
  • Stepping Up to a challenge - train your brain with crosswords, Sudoku and general knowledge quizzes.
  • Details of library developments can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

    Details of events can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/events

Facts and figures about Leicestershire Libraries for 2008 – 2009

  • 55 libraries
  • 92,378 hours open
  • 3,853,867 visitors
  • 6 Mobile libraries
  • 412 PCs
  • 22,205 DVDs to rent
  • 728,628 books to borrow