Halfway point prize draw for Doncaster College's Six Book Challenge

The real challenge for people running and taking part in the Six Book Challenge is keeping up the momentum.
Carol Wootton from the Learning Resource Centre at Doncaster College has found a new way to keep her students on track. Those who had completed three of their six books were eligible to take part in a prize draw for ten pairs of tickets to see Doncaster Rovers play in their top of the table clash with rivals Swindon Town on Easter Monday. They were also treated to a stadium tour before the game. Rovers won 1-0.
"A huge thank you goes to Doncaster Rovers for providing the prizes," says Carol, "especially Shaun Lockwood the Marketing Manager for organising it, and Steve Uttley the Media Manager for coming to the College to present the prizes. The winners were Raza Zade, Hasan Haceller, Adam Wielgus, Saeed Farhadi, and Hui Chen who are all ESOL students and Adam Paterson, Richard Smith, Daniel Thorp, Frankie Johnston and Luke Morrish who are all media students. Congratulations to all of them."
The offer of extra prize draws is just one way to ensure that you've got committed participants who will stay the course. We gathered lots more from colleges in particular from our recent snapshot survey. Here are just a few:
- Getting the Challenge included in plans and reporting systems for the college (Northampton)
- Linking it to operational targets for the college library (Peterborough)
- Nag, nag, nag to get other staff on board (Adam Smith)
- Highlighting to teaching staff that it will help support the college's literacy agenda and using displays and Facebook to promote the scheme (Sir Gar)
- Taking a 'whole-college' approach with staff and competent readers as well as targeted courses taking part (Tresham)
- Only giving out diaries to students who have read their first book (Huntingdon and Peterborough)
- Texting participants to keep them on track (Coulsdon)
- Holding events in the college library - book sale (New College, Stamford) or a charity event (Abingdon & Witney)
- Linking to the local public library (Westminster Kingsway)
- Using hooks such as World Book Day (Oldham 6th Form)
- Starting a reading group to support participants (West Anglia)
- Offering prizes for the first completer, best diary, most improved reader (Northampton)
- Suggesting different formats for the six reads (Great Yarmouth)
- Making sure you have reading material at the appropriate level (Edinburgh)
- Collecting quotes from diaries for a celebration booklet (Bolton)
- Sending congratulation notes to tutors, parents and learners (Cornwall)
Get involved
If you work in a college or school and are interested in running the Six Book Challenge visit our resources page.
If you're already running the challenge take a look at the advice on our tips and training pages, including another sports link between Warrington libraries and the Warrington Wolves rugby league team.