Six Book Challenge in association with Costa

“I never thought I could read one book, never mind six! I feel so proud. I’ve never felt so good about myself. I feel like I can do anything now.” Noleen Vine, Challenge completer, Warrington

The Reading Agency launched the national Six Book Challenge in 2008 as an annual incentive scheme for less confident adult readers as part of the Vital Link programme. It invited adults to read six books and record their reading in a diary in order to receive a certificate. Those who completed the Challenge by the end of June 2008 also had the chance to enter a national prize draw offered by Costa.

The first year of the scheme has been a great success with an estimated 7,000 adults taking part through libraries, colleges, community education, prisons and workplaces. Please see www.literacytrust.org.uk/vitallink/evaluation.html for a full impact report.

Materials are now available for the Six Book Challenge 2009. See the Shop at www.readingagency.org.uk to make your order. And visit the new website for 2009 at www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk.

News for Six Book Challenge 2009

• Main activity for the Six Book Challenge 2009 will run from January to June but organisations are welcome to use the scheme at any time in 2009.
• Costa have confirmed sponsorship for the Six Book Challenge 2009 and hope to increase local involvement of Costa staff. They will again offer a national prize draw for those who complete the Challenge by the end of June and a separate prize draw for prisons and young offender institutions.
• Mike Gayle has committed to continuing in his valuable role as Six Book Challenge patron
• The Reading Agency is offering training to support organisations running the Six Book Challenge – see www.readingagency.org.uk/new-thinking/training/

Products for Six Book Challenge 2009

• The Reading Agency is offering core packs (two sizes – 50 and 100), promotional packs (two sizes – 50 and 100) and separate incentives for purchase for 2009.
• All purchases are supported by downloadable templates and guidance from www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk, book recommendations at www.firstchoicebooks.org.uk and ongoing email support.
• If you are looking at running the Six Book Challenge 2009 for more than 300 participants, please contact The Reading Agency to discuss a discount on your purchase
• Please visit the shop at http://shop.readingagency.org.uk/productslist.aspx to make your order.

Key benefits of running the Six Book Challenge

For new readers:
• An enjoyable experience that builds their confidence, literacy skills and motivation to read and learn more

For learning providers:
• A proven method of engaging students in reading for pleasure as part of their skills development

For library staff:
• A practical scheme to develop sustainable links with organizations in the adult education sector and showcase the contribution that libraries can make to the Skills for Life agenda

The Six Book Challenge 2009 provides an ideal legacy from the National Year of Reading by:
• engaging a new audience in reading for pleasure
• weaving creativity into adult literacy provision
• encouraging increased use of libraries
• supporting the local and national agenda for improving adult skills

"A very useful initiative which should become a regular promotion, like the children's Summer Reading Challenge. It is something concrete and practical to take to colleagues as part of our delivery of The Vital Link." John Pilling, Principal Librarian, Oxfordshire Libraries

"We will be running Six Book Challenge in 2009 by popular demand from adult tutors and learners." Andrew Fisher, Reading & Development Librarian, Dorset Libraries

Please contact project managers: genevieve.clarke@readingagency.org.uk or ruth.harrison@readingagency.org.uk for further information about the Six Book Challenge in association with Costa.