Wiltshire Council libraries join global challenge to read for 200 million minutes!

The library service in Wiltshire has joined a global campaign to eradicate illiteracy and build a brighter future for children and young people.

Throughout March from World Book Day (4 March) to Children's Book Day (31 March), children and young people from across Wiltshire are invited to log with the library service the number of minutes they read each week. This will all help to achieve Wiltshire libraries' own target of 125,000 minutes, to add to the global challenge to read 200 million minutes!

All reading counts - paperbacks, magazines, comics, plays, newspapers and eBooks are all great. Children and young people will be invited to complete a special log each week (or create their own) and email libraries with the total number of minutes read. Each week, the library service will log the minutes read and at the end of the challenge share the cumulative total.

Wiltshire libraries have lots of wonderful books and eBooks for children and young people to read, which are free to borrow and reserve for library members. It's free to join the library and people can join online.

The campaign is run by Achievement for All, a leading not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with schools and settings to improve outcomes for all children and young people vulnerable to underachievement. Achievement for All hopes that, through this global challenge, more children will discover a love of reading.

Speaking about the challenge, Professor Sonia Blandford, CEO of Achievement for All, said: Right from the start reading dares you to grow in language, imagination, communication and self. Introducing all children and young people to the habit of reading in everyday life can improve prospects, unlocking new worlds and possibilities. 10 minutes of reading a day can make a huge impact to a child's development, and de-stress their parents and carers! Imagine what a collective 200 million minutes will achieve!

Prizes will be awarded to the schools or settings who achieve the highest average number of reading minutes per child or young person. Certificates will also be available to individuals who reach key reading targets during the challenge.

Cabinet Member for Libraries, Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, said: We hope that many children and families take part in this wonderful reading initiative throughout March. Our libraries have a large range of children's books and eBooks to inspire them in their reading for this. Reading for at least 10 minutes each day has huge benefits for children.

Last year, over 489,600 children and young people across the UK participated in the 200 Million Minutes Reading Challenge, collectively reading 140,874,550 minutes in total. With children and young people across the continents being able to get involved in the 2020 event, the challenge is bigger and better than ever before!

To find out more and how to take part in the challenge visit Services for children and teens.

Further information on the 200 Million Minutes Reading Challenge (opens new window).

Further information about Achievement for All (opens new window).