Issue - meetings

            Purpose

To update the Cabinet Member on the success of the 2018 Summer Reading     Challenge, including participation statistics to date and to make recommendations aimed at increasing and widening participation in 2019.

            RECOMMENDED

(1)  That in order to increase and widen participation in lunch clubs, play schemes and other activities aimed at children in non-library settings during the summer holidays, the Library and Archive Service will seek engagement with Public Health colleagues, with a view to much more targeted intervention in 2019.

(2)  That the Library and Archive Service develop a strategy that will address the significant numbers of children who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge but do not complete it.

(3)  Factors that have made North End Library the most successful branch in terms of participation will be identified and then replicated throughout the Library and Archive Service in 2019.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by David Percival, Outreach and School Library Services Manager.  He advised that 1,691 children had completed the challenge this year which is the highest ever number.  57% of the participants were girls so there was some more work to be done around getting boys engaged.  55 volunteers assisted with the event this year.  The school participation figures would be shared with members once available. 

Councillor Pitt thanked all officers and volunteers for the huge amount of work in organising this year's exciting and engaging event.  He had been pleased to attend the certificate giving event.  With regard to the numbers of boys and girls completing the challenge, Councillor Pitt added that he had noted that many of the boys who completed the challenge had a sister who completed the challenge.  Councillor Pitt added that the results for North End were outstanding and noted that officers were going to look at the reasons behind this.  Some extra effort and resources were needed to drive up the numbers in other areas of the city for next year. 

Councillor Jonas echoed the comments of Councillor Pitt and felt it was important the Council does everything possible to encourage more children to read. 

Councillor Pitt advised that Councillor Morgan had made some written comments as follows:

·         It was a pleasure to attend the certificate giving event and see such a diverse range of local families attend and get so much enjoyment from the programme. 

·         He also thanked the staff and volunteers who made the event a success. 

Councillor Morgan also commented that the certificate event this year clashed with the Fratton Big Local.  The Library and Archives Services Manager said that she had already been in touch with Fratton Big Local and officers were aware of the clash.  They are very grateful for the use of Southsea Castle for the event and officers are pleased to be offered a date when the Castle is not running one of their own events.  Unfortunately this limits their ability to ensure it does not clash with other events taking place in the city.  Officers will be communicating when they expect to be running the event next year.   

DECISIONS:

(1)  That in order to increase and widen participation in lunch clubs, play schemes and other activities aimed at children in non-library settings during the summer holidays, the Library and Archive Service will seek engagement with Public Health colleagues, with a view to much more targeted intervention in 2019.

(2)  That the Library and Archive Service develop a strategy that will address significant numbers of children who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge but do not complete it.

(3)  The Factors that have made North End Library the most successful branch in terms of participation will be identified and then replicated throughout the Library and Archive Service in 2019.