The library is a great place for children to get involved with books and reading. Our libraries hold regular rhyme time sessions for babies and toddlers. For older children there's help with homework and access to a wealth of information for research and project work.
Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge is a national scheme that takes place every year during the summer holidays.
The Summer Reading Challenge website is a great resource to keep track of your reading all year round. It helps you find new books to read and has competitions, games and mini challenges.
Find out more on the The Summer Reading Challenge website
We are delighted to share the theme of the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge, ‘Ready, Set, Read!’. This year’s Challenge will be all about games and sports, and is brought to life by the brilliant children’s illustrator, Loretta Schauer.
Developed in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust, ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ will celebrate play and participation and will encourage children to engage in reading, games and sports, in any way that best suits them. The Challenge will provide opportunities to showcase how reading can be active and engaged, and can itself involve teamwork and community.
How the Summer Reading Challenge works
Children can complete the Challenge by reading whatever they like in their chosen format:
- fiction
- fact books
- poetry
- joke books
- picture books
- graphic novels
- audio books
- eBooks
Children sign up at their local library and read 6 library books of their choice to complete the challenge.
There are rewards to collect along the way and there's a certificate for everyone who completes the Challenge. Library staff and a team of volunteers are on hand to help children sign up, collect rewards and choose new books if they need advice or inspiration. Visit your library in the school holidays to take part.
Your Local Library information
The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school aged children and is designed for all reading abilities. Children can sign up for free at a participating library during the summer holidays.
Arts and Kernow Youth Book Award (KYBA) supporters
We are registered Arts Award supporters, so if you are doing Arts Award, activities undertaken at the library can count towards your award. KYBA Award supporters – you can borrow or order KYBA titles at your local library.
Find out what services we offer by age groups below
Bookstart
BookTrust wants every child to have the good start in life that reading brings. Books and resources are supported with guidance to encourage the reading habit.
The flagship programme Bookstart reaches every baby in England and Wales in their first year. As the world's first national book-gifting programme, Bookstart aims to encourage a love of books, stories and rhymes in children as early as possible.
Bookstart encourages parents to enrol their children as library members from birth. Children are never too young to start loving books. Babies who have an early introduction to books benefit:
- educationally
- socially
- culturally and
- emotionally
Bookstart in your library
Bookstart Rhymetimes are free and fun for everyone. Babies and children who discover the pleasure of hearing stories and rhymes have a flying start when it comes to learning to read by themselves. Rhymetime sessions are organised locally and involve a mix of songs, rhymes, rhythm and movement, while providing the opportunity to share games, books and toys. They are also a friendly, inclusive space for parents and carers to meet up, mingle and make new friends
Storytime Sessions are a way to discover the magic of sharing stories, make friends and join in with free activities.
Find out whats happening in your local library
What people have said about Bookstart
"Rhymetime has helped my child sing more at home, sit down, listen and make new friends".
"It's an excellent time and a great introduction to the library for little ones".
Further Information
For information about the Bookstart programme in Cornwall, please contact your local Bookstart Coordinator. Email: ey.co-ordinator@cornwall.gov.uk
Help with Homework
Do you need help with your homework, projects and assignments? Your local library can help you and signpost you to information. Even better - some libraries run after-school homework sessions where experienced staff are on hand to help.
Volunteering opportunities
During the Summer Reading Challenge volunteering opportunities are available at most libraries between July and September. They can help you gain various skills.These opportunities are for children over the age of 12.
You could also look into the Duke of Edinburgh volunteering scheme which is available.
If you are interested in volunteering then please contact your local library to register your interest.
Get help with homework, school projects and assignments
The following services and resources are provided to help you.
Use your Online Reference Library eResources from home or from your library (you will need your library card number to login at home)
If you need help you could ask in your local library. Or phone Enquiry Express free (0800 032 2345) to get information sent to you.
Volunteering opportunities
During the Summer Reading Challenge volunteering opportunities are available at most libraries between July and September. They can help you gain various skills.
You could also look into the Duke of Edinburgh volunteering scheme which is available.
If you are interested in volunteering your first step would be to register your interest with your local library.