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Genevieve delivered an update on The Reading Agency's Six Book Challenge programme.
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Six Book Challenge for London Libraries
18 September 2014
The Reading Agency
• Independent national charity• Mission to give everyone an equal chance in life by
helping people become confident and enthusiastic readers. Because everything changes when we read
• Formal partnership with public libraries• Work with broadcasters, publishers, government at
national level• Work with libraries, schools, colleges, prisons,
workplaces at local level
Our vision
• That people’s attitudes to reading, both in print and online, are changed by taking part in the Six Book Challenge, whether or not they are already readers.
• Priority audience – those who struggle with the written word
• Also powerful for lapsed readers
Why?
• 5.1 million adults of working age are STILL at the level expected of an 11 year old (moved from 16% to 15% since 2003)
• 14.8 million adults would not achieve a GCSE at A* - C grade (improved from 39.5% to 28.5% since 2003)
2011 Skills for Life Survey: Headline findings Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dec 2011
• 16-24 year olds in England are rated 22nd out of 24 countries for literacy.
• They have slightly worse skills than people aged between 55 and 65.
Survey of Adult Skills (PIACC), OECD, Oct 2013
National agendas
• Business, Skills & Innovation Committee Report on Adult Literacy & Numeracy asking for better funded, more flexible and higher profile approach
• Rise in participation age – 18 by 2015 – and drive for GCSE English and Maths
• Mandated learning linked to Jobcentre Plus• Demand for ESOL provision• Importance of family approach - Read On Get On
coalition
Public libraries’ Universal Reading Offer
• New strategy combining libraries’ efforts to develop reading
• One of four SCL “national offers”; reading, digital, information and health
• Developed with The Reading Agency • Strategy tied to local government improvement
through Local Government Group logic model• In England, integrated in Arts Council’s development
plans for libraries
Libraries’ reading work helps local
authorities achieve key outcomes
Economic impact and
value for money
strong and safe
communities (including
participation)
Health, well being and
quality of life
Learning, skills and
employability
Toolbox to plan local reading offer
National
Regional Local
Reading
Offer
• Baseline reading offer delivered by using mixture of local, regional and national work
• SCL has prioritised programmes and partnerships currently used by 60% of library authorities
• Aim to achieve a minimum of 80% of authorities using the prioritised elements of the toolbox – fewer, bigger things together to generate economies of scale.
The ‘Vital Link’ principles
• Partnership between public libraries and learning providers
• Focus on integrating reading for pleasure into literacy learning
• Working with existing learners and reaching out to potential new learners
“Books have no place in this course; it’s about learning to read!”Basic skills tutor, ?
“The students didn’t think they could learn through reading. It’s been a revelation to them
that they could enjoy a book and still be learning.”
Skills for Life tutor, Tameside
Creating a virtuous circle
Learners engaged in (more) text
Learners enjoy reading
Learnerspractise skills
Learners improve skills
Learners want to read more
Defining the library offer
• Library accessible and welcoming to all adults with low literacy levels
• Library able to support adults’ learning and help them to move on
• Library offering books at the right reading level that inspire as well as inform
• Library offering creative activities around reading at the right level
Support from The Reading Agency
• Advocacy for libraries’ role• Links with national initiatives eg
Quick Reads, BBC campaigns• R & D – reading for pleasure at Entry Level, potential
for using digital games• Reading Groups for Everyone, Mood-Boosting Books• World Book Night• Six Book Challenge
What is the Six Book Challenge?
• An invitation to read six books or other ‘materials’ and record reading in a diary
• Library support for choosing what to read• Creative activity such as reading groups• Incentives to increase retention• Certificate for those who read six books
(participation certificate for less)• A proven way of engaging and motivating adults to
improve their literacy skills
Six Book Challenge 2008-14
2008 total 7000
2009 total 9000
2010 total
13,500
2011 total
18,000
2012 total
23,500
2013 total
35,000
2014 total
40,000
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
Public librariesCollegesPrisonsWorkplaces
2014 headline results• 40,000 people registered
• 12,500 through public libraries and partners• 17,000 in FE and sixth form colleges• 9000 in prisons• 1500 in workplaces
• Nearly 90% of survey respondents said they felt more confident about reading
• 79 organisations achieved more than 50 completers
Impact
Impact“I feel like a new more confident person now.”
Amy Gaskin, traveller who didn’t learn to read until she was 60, supported by Derbyshire Adult Education and library service
Westminster Libraries working with Westminster Adult Education Service – 209 completers
Event at No. 11 Downing Street on International Literacy Day 8 September
“I have worked with the Six Book Challenge since it started and I feel as if I am really making a difference to people’s lives.” Janet Puzylo, Development Librarian - Reading, LiveWire Warrington
Senior management support
• “I’d recommend every library authority should do it.” Rosemary Doyle, Head of Libraries & Heritage, Islington
• “This is an ideal way for libraries to support the adult literacy agenda.”Ciara Eastell, President, Society of Chief Librarians and Head of Devon Libraries
Six Book Challenge 2015
• Packs to promote the Challenge and run it with 50 people available from September 2015
• Discounts for multiple packs and reading diaries• www.readingagency.org.uk/sixbookchallenge • Prize draws for completers• Prize draws for colleges, prisons and workplaces –
author visits• Gold/silver/bronze award scheme
Tips for public libraries
• Partnership with local organisations• Profile for the library• Promotion of the right books• Prizes• Persistence• Party!
Partnership working
• Public library services – over 60% involvement in 2014 • Adult & community learning – strong SBC library authorities
show engagement of high numbers• Workplaces - engagement by TUC unionlearn, individual
unions and some employers• Prison education – around 100 prisons and YOIs• FE college libraries – over 110 colleges took part in 2014 using
their own libraries/learning resource centres • Family learning, children’s centres – libraries running the Six
Book Challenge alongside the Summer Reading Challenge• Health – mental health groups, NHS Trusts
NEW Six Book Challenge website
• www.readingagency.org.uk/sixbookchallenge • Sponsored by mobile company Three• Adding a digital dimension to the Six Book Challenge • Participants can create a an online profile, log, rate
and review what they read• Search for next read in our unique Find a read
database – nearly 500 items (pre-Entry – Level 2)• Printed books PLUS ebooks, audio, large print,
newspapers, digital games
Selection criteria
• Readability level – SMOG formula• Length, design, layout, type size• ‘Proper’ book – no comprehension exercises, no
‘easy reader’ label• Hook to engage reader/interest factor• Straightforward structure, short chapters and
paragraphs, simple sentences• Beginner readers NOT beginner thinkers!
• www.quickreads.org.uk• www.accentpress.co.uk • www.newisland.ie• www.barringtonstoke.co.uk• www.ransom.co.uk • www.axiseducation.co.uk • www.newleafbooks.org.uk• www.gatehousebooks.org.uk • www.readwellroad.com
Contacts• Genevieve Clarke (general)
[email protected] 0871 750 2104 / 07500 010 620
• David Kendall (prisons and workplaces)[email protected]
01225 862351 / 07814 060572• Dan Colagiovanni (sales enquiries)
[email protected] • 0207 324 2547