Running the Six Book Challenge 2015

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 for the Six Book Challenge

• 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 is it needed?

• 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 our 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 in 2014

• Business, Skills & Innovation Committee Report on Adult Literacy & Numeracy asking for better funded, more flexible and higher profile approach

• Read On Get On – 10-year coalition initiated by Save the Children to ensure every child reading ‘well’ by age of 11 – importance of family dimension

• National Literacy Trust manifesto• Reading for pleasure campaign supported by trade

publishers working with voluntary sector

Creating a virtuous circle

Learners engaged in (more) text

Learners enjoy

reading

Learnerspractise

skills

Learners improve

skills

Learners want to

read more

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

Benefits for participants

• Increase in confidence about reading• Increase in skills, eg vocabulary, knowledge,

writing, speaking and listening• Increase in enjoyment in reading• Increase in sense of well-being, belonging,

identity as a reader• Tangible record of achievement – certificate,

CV, testimony

Benefits for organisers

• ‘Off the peg’ nationally recognised programme• Practical framework for encouraging reading• Simple tool for partnership working• Raises awareness of library offer• Creates a buzz around reading for people of all

abilities• Leads on to other activity, eg reading groups,

volunteering, support for other family members

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

Event at No. 11 Downing Street on International Literacy Day 8 September where goal of 50,000 participants set for 2015.

“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

• “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

• "It is a wonderful way to encourage learners to pick up a book, and we have seen attitudes towards reading change and confidence amongst participants soar." Jack Carney, Principal of The Manchester College, which achieved 510 completers in 2014

• “The Six Book Challenge is part of my vision of how rehabilitation works in this prison.”Lynn Saunders, Governor, HMP Whatton

• “Through supporting the Six Book Challenge, Tesco has a role to play in getting more people to feel the inner confidence that reading can give them.”

John McAlpine, Operations Director, Tesco

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• Bilingual materials for Wales• Prize draws for completers and for colleges, prisons

and workplaces – author visits• Martina Cole, Andy McNab and Adele Parks continue

as Ambassadors• Gold/silver/bronze award scheme• www.readingagency.org.uk/sixbookchallenge

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 (Usdaw, UNISON) and some employers (Army)• 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

Contacts• Genevieve Clarke (general)

genevieve.clarke@readingagency.org.uk 0871 750 2104 / 07500 010 620

• David Kendall (prisons and workplaces)david.kendall@readingagency.org.uk

01225 862351 / 07814 060572• Daniel Colagiovanni (sales enquiries)

daniel.colagiovanni@readingagency.org.uk • 0207 324 2547