BASINGSTOKE Discovery Centre (BDC) is top of the Hampshire charts for the national Summer Reading Challenge. 


The challenge - to read six or more library books over the summer – is coordinated by The Reading Agency. Run in 97% of UK public libraries, it sees over 780,000 children aged four-11 years take part, making it the biggest national reading initiative.
 

BDC has seen more children sign up to this summer’s challenge than any other branch in the county.
 

The annual Summer Reading Challenge, this year called Story Lab, is totally free. The challenge is for children to read their books during the school holidays and collect stickers to mark their progress.
 

Designed for children of all abilities, it rewards them for completing any books that they like – including fact books, stories, jokes, picture books - and audio books count too. A sticker is awarded for each item and those who complete the challenge receive a gold medal and certificate.
 

Over 1,300 children have signed up at BDC in Festival Place, a total which has taken the library to the top spot. And there is still time to complete the challenge.
 

Jackie Slater, volunteer coordinator said “We’re very pleased with this tremendous response – but children still have until September 16 to finish and collect their gold medals.”
 

BDC is open seven days a week in Festival Place and children and their families can visit the Story Lab desk at any time to join or complete the challenge. Further information is online at hants.gov.uk/bsdc.