Reading challenge for children launches at Oxfordshire libraries

From 14 July children will invited into the Story Lab at their local library where they will be sent on an imaginative adventure of reading, hearing and writing stories.

Story Lab is a free, fun and exciting way for children to  enjoy reading over the summer holidays and is inspired by the Cultural Olympiad London Festival 2012.

It will run until 15 September and children will be able to go on an exciting imaginative adventure with Lex, Rani, Will, Evie and Aesop the cat to help Professor Cortex recover three lost items to boost the imagination of his Story Lab.

Start your adventure

Those taking part will be given a free 3D Story Lab model in the library to start the adventure. As they read books and progress through the adventure, they will collect rewards and prizes including stickers and wristbands, and when they've read six books they will be awarded a gold medal, similar in design to an Olympic medal, and a certificate.

There will also be a range of activities, story time sessions and family events at many local libraries. To find out about these simply call in to your local library  or check our website www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries.

County Councillor Judy Heathcoat, Cabinet member for  Safer and  Stronger  Communities, said: “The summer is a great time for children to  spend some of their time enjoying good stories.

“Just an hour or two a week can really help children to improve and enjoy their reading, and the summer break is a good opportunity for parents  to introduce their children to their local library and encourage them to join.”

The challenge is open to children of any age and the whole family can come along and join in the fun. There’s a brilliant interactive website at www.story-lab.org.uk

Launch event

The initiative will be launched at Oxford Central Library on Saturday 14 July with a free “Finding books for families” event. This will be held in the main library, from 11am.

Anyone, including children, adults and families, can come along to this event without booking. There will be activities to take part in, and library staff will be able to help visitors to find something enjoyable to read, regardless of age or reading level.

For more information

You can find out what’s happening near you by checking our website www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries and looking at the events listing, or you can telephone your local library or ring 01865 810240.