‘Winter Reads’ challenge launches across Hertfordshire Libraries

Hertfordshire County Council’s Libraries Service are running their ‘Winter Reads’ challenge across the county from 1 November 2024 to 31 January 2025. Following the success of last year’s challenge which saw 3,600 residents of all ages sign up, a new set of challenges have been devised to encourage reading for pleasure and attendance at a series of exciting events that are taking place across the county’s libraries.

All those taking part are asked to complete six challenges. There is a choice of challenges available so those taking part can choose how tricky they would like their challenge to be. Challenges for adults can be found on a Winter Reads bookmark while children have a collector card. It’s super easy to take part and all you have to do is pick up a bookmark or challenge card from any library in the county from 1^st November.

Some examples of a challenge for adults include borrowing and reading a book from a library display or reading a page a day throughout the period the challenge is on. Examples of challenges that children can take part in include ‘time travellers’ (reading a book set in a different time period) or ‘fact finder’ (discovering a new information book). Once the challenges have been completed those taking part will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad or other book related prizes.

Cllr Caroline Clapper, Executive Member for Education, Libraries and Lifelong learning at Hertfordshire County Council said: “We know that children in our county really get behind the Summer Reading Challenge, which is why last year we introduced a winter version and opened it up to adults as well. Looking ahead to the celebrations we have planned next year for our centenary we are using this year’s Winter Reads challenge to encourage all our residents to snuggle up with a good book and enjoy the wellbeing and developmental benefits of reading. I’d encourage everyone to pop into their local library to see for themselves what a vibrant and engaging community space they are.”

To find out more about the challenge and the series of special events that will be happening during the period across our libraries please visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/WinterReads