15 February 2021
More than a hundred young avid readers from across the region made the most of the recent holiday break by embracing the Southern Downs Libraries’ Summer Reading Club Challenge, with a lucky seven rewarded for their efforts.
Themed ‘Tales of Wonder’, the Southern Downs Libraries offered the free program in December 2020 and January 2021 to children up to the age of 17 years and registered readers went into a draw for six weekly prizes of books and one major prize of an Android tablet.
Southern Downs Chief Executive Officer Dave Burges commended the reading efforts of those who joined the challenge and was impressed that they collectively amassed 1068 hours of reading.
“Whether you are inspired by fantasy or facts when you pick up a book, reading offers an endless possibility of inspiration and learning,” Mr Burges said.
“Our libraries and its staff believe wholeheartedly in creating exciting reading initiatives for our young people to embrace books and discover the amazing ways reading fosters and stimulates creativity and learning in an engaging and fun realm.
“The Summer Reading Challenge aims to inspire children to love reading and it’s encouraging to note that locally the overall reward recipient was four-year-old Caiden Blanch.
“I believe that books and similar resources, whether online or physical, provide fuel for the brain and open a world of creativity and imagination.
“Our libraries are for everyone and I encourage all kids across our region to embrace everything our libraries have to offer.”
Following the Challenge’s success, the libraries expect to offer the Summer Reading Club Challenge again at the end of this year.
Over the school break, the libraries also provided take home craft packs, treasure hunts and quizzes.
Council wishes to remind residents that the home service for direct mobile delivery is available across the region and makes regular deliveries to regional areas previously serviced by the mobile library including Yangan, Swan Creek, Emu Vale, Junabee, Maryvale, Freestone, Gladfield, Leyburn, Wheatvale, Pratten, Karara, Dalveen and Killarney. Deliveries are also available in the Warwick, Stanthorpe and Allora townships and surrounds.
The regular homerun service is still offered fortnightly for deliveries to housebound residents who are unable to access the library because of illness or disability.
The Southern Downs Libraries also offer an incredible digital library of movies, eMagazines, eComics, eBooks, eLearning and so much more. You need to have a library card to access these services and members without cards can phone library staff to facilitate an over-the-phone sign-up for access to online services.
Weekly winners
Week 1: Aliza Schelbach
Week 2: Swetha Chandran
Week 3: Isobella Kerrigan
Week 4: Declan Giles-Duffy
Week 5: Alex McHardy
Week 6: Finn Campbell
Major prize winner: Caiden Blanch