EVERY Year 6 child in South Gloucestershire is being given a library card.
In the summer term, library cards were given to more than 3,000 children in Reception classes. An additional 3,500 library cards are now being given to ten and 11-year-olds in Year 6 to help ensure they continue their interest in reading as they head for secondary school.
To inspire children to use their cards, Alex Wharton, award winning writer and performer of poetry and Children’s Laureate Wales, visited Cadbury Heath and Emersons Green Libraries in early December to meet Year 6 children from Parkwall, Cadbury Heath and Blackhorse schools.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for libraries at South Glos Council said: “Reading and free access to libraries is integral to children’s learning, well-being and development. Giving children library membership is an important investment by the council in the future of every child in South Gloucestershire. We believe this will have an impact in increasing the levels of literacy of all our children as well as encouraging a love of reading. We hope that every child will be able to see the benefits that library membership brings.”