 |
|
|
|
Summer News from The Reading Agency
|
|
Political change
It's been a big month for us and our main partners, libraries, with some big policy announcements. Ed Vaizey, the minister with responsibility for libraries had hoped to create a Library Development Agency but there is no funding. Instead there will be a library support programme led by MLA (Museums Libraries and Archives Council) and the Local Government Association. We are delighted that he wants The Reading Agency to be involved in this.
|
|
Cuts/efficiencies
As councils reshape library services, we urge them to factor in the entrepreneurial staff capacity needed to engage with the local community in reading and learning. Nicky Parker, head of transformation in Manchester City Council and a Reading Agency trustee, believes our models of new ways of working can support library innovation and efficiency . Book a place at the next Making Reading Count course that helps libraries demonstrate how their reading work fits the wider local authority context.
|
|
Space Hop at the House of Commons
We launched this year's Summer Reading Challenge, Space Hop, at the House of Commons with the support of Talis and Peters Bookselling Service. As well as Ed Vaizey, speakers included Michael Rosen, the scheme's Patron, and Alan Davey, chief executive of the Arts Council. We predict that 750,000 people will take part in this summer's Challenge.
|
 |
|
MPs Ed Vaisey, Estelle Morris, Barry Gardiner, Louise Bagshawe and Gisela Stuart with the books we gave them to donate to their local library
|
 |
 |
|
Prince Harry launching the British Council's Space Hop Reading Challenge at primary school in Botswana. Thirty-five British Council Offices are running Space Hop in 22 different countries, involving up to 11,000 children.
|
Plus one of Havering Libraries' beautifully decorated Space Hop library spaces. We love it!
|
|
Reading Partners publisher work
We celebrated five years of Reading Partners, which is revolutionising the relationship between libraries and publishers, at a reception sponsored by Nielsen Book and attended by a rare mix of public and private sector supporters. We announced our new three-year strategy and the roll out of our children's pilot. Nick Hornby said "The whole country needs readers and we need libraries to create them."
|
Hardeep Sing Kohli and Ed Vaisey at our Reading Partners' project reception |
|
Work with young people
|
|
Youth-led library work - HeadSpace
There has been much talk about how the public can be involved in changing local communities. Recent results from our young people's work shows how reading and libraries could be a powerful pivot for a new wave of public engagement. Read more about what we've been achieving for young people through HeadSpace and how we can support your work with young people.
"Before headspace was established, I never read any books but because we have chosen the books, I have got back in to reading. If it was not for headspace I would not have become a volunteer and would never have applied for the young people's job." Leesa Amin, from HeadSpace
|
 |
Akala's library tour
Award-winning hip-hop star Akala's is doing a tour of libraries for us and his company Hip Hop Shakespeare to fire up young people about reading and transform the way they think about libraries. This picture is from Toxteth Library. Next date 21 August at Manchester Longsight Library.
|
|
Calling all young writers and journalists
groupthing, our social network website where young people can have conversations about reading, writing and anything to do with words, wants to find editors. We are offering young people aged 11 to 19 an exciting opportunity to showcase their work and develop their skills.There's been some great stuff on groupthing recently including interviews with young performance poets and rappers. Be part of it. Contact Anna Selby.
|
|
Adult Literacy work
|
|
Family reading - Six Book Challenge
Ken Bakker is 39, works for Littlewoods Clearance, based just outside Bolton, where he has recently become a unionlearn rep. He has six children, including two adopted children, aged from 20 to 13 years.
"The Six Book Challenge can open up all sorts of doors for people. I can't really put into words how glad I am that I did it, and I'm still reading!"
We're encouraging library services to introduce the Six Book Challenge to parents and carers in children's centres while their children are taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge to trial a family dimension to the project. 30% discount at the Shop and book for the November training courses. |
 |
Can playing games be good for you?
Our Gaming for reading report challenges the games industry to harness its power to make a difference for those with literacy needs and invites games developers to work with us to develop a gaming dimension to the Six Book Challenge.
|
|
Work with children
|
|
Chatterbooks supporting literacy
When a Chatterbooks group in North Yorkshire were asked to submit material for the Scarborough Literature Festival, they produced beautiful printed and illustrated reviews of the books they have been reading. The children wrote: "We all felt very special because we were part of a team producing material to a deadline to be published. It was just like being real writers and having our work published is absolutely brilliant."
This is a great example of how one of our reading projects can support writing and wider literacy interests. The next Chatterbooks training course is for teaching and non-teaching staff wishing to set up Chatterbooks in their school on 24 September at Newcastle Library, Newcastle upon Tyne. Book a place here. |
 |
|
New look Noticeboard
We've made some significant changes to our Noticeboard (formerly the Rolling Calendar). The Noticeboard is where publishers and librarians can interact about author visits, offers and promotions. We've made it easier to browse and search and there's a new facility to upload images and to link to YouTube and Vimeo. Take a look at www.readingagency.org.uk/calendar/
|
|
Jobs at The Reading Agency
We are looking for a director of business management to lead us through the next stage of our organisational development. This is a key role for us - please help to spread the word. We are also looking for a senior project manager to work on our young people's project to cover maternity leave.
|
|
Look out for...
Some of The Reading Agency staff and freelancers running the Two2Go Hackney Marshes 10K on Saturday 11 September to raise money for The Book Challenge. To join in, or sponsor us, please email Anna Selby.
|
|
Keeping in touch
For information about all our projects and resources visit the website, follow us on Twitter and tell use what you think at the discussion forum. To unsubscribe click here or send an email to reading.agency@readingagency.org.uk
|
|
read - The Reading Agency Ltd
Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA
Company limited by guarantee, registered number 3904882 (England & Wales)
Registered charity number 1085443 (England & Wales) Registered Office c/o CW Fellowes, Templars House, Lulworth Close, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire SO53 3TL |