A new partnership between Manchester Libraries, Transpennine Express (TPE) and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has got the Six Book Challenge on the move.

TPE have been very supportive of the project and hope that at least 50 staff will complete the Six Book Challenge in 2013. They have set up a learning zone for workers in the staff area of Piccadilly Station and are offering various incentives for staff who complete the Six Book Challenge. There's now talk of launching the scheme at Victoria Station in Manchester later in the spring.

Danny Middleton, Service Development Officer with the library service, has provided TPE and RMT staff with Six Book Challenge diaries and a range of bestselling books and other material for workers to borrow. They are using our specially-branded Rugby League World Cup 2013 materials as many of the staff are keen rugby league fans.

Support from our Ambassador Andy McNab is also paying off. "I've not read a book for years," commented one TPE train driver, "but I've seen stuff on TV about Andy McNab so I'd like to give his books a go."

Graham Chester, RMT Union Learning Development Worker (North), said: "RMT would like to thank Manchester Libraries for working in partnership with us on the Six Book Challenge and providing local rail workers with access to an excellent range of books at Manchester Piccadilly. The Six Book Challenge is an initiative that is being supported across the rail network by RMT Union Learning Reps. It is enabling us to promote some of the other benefits associated with reading such as a healthy, active mind and better literacy skills."

Councillor Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, commented: "Anything that we can do to motivate adults to read is worthwhile which is why we are pleased to be working in partnership with The Reading Agency and Trans Pennine Express. By providing the Six Book Challenge diaries and a range of bestselling books we hope that it will encourage lots of workers to take part in this Challenge."

Get involved

If you would like to take part in the Six Book Challenge at your workplace contact your Union Learning Rep. You can also take part in the Challenge through your local public library.

Do tell us your story about being part of or running the Six Book Challenge at your workplace - we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Genevieve Clarke.

If you work at a public library, college, prison or work place and are interested in running the Six Book Challenge visit our resources page.