Six Book Challenge for London Libraries

18 September 2014

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

• 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?

• 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 out 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

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

• Rise in participation age – 18 by 2015 – and drive for GCSE English and Maths

• Mandated learning linked to Jobcentre Plus• Demand for ESOL provision• Importance of family approach - Read On Get On

coalition

Public libraries’ Universal Reading Offer

• New strategy combining libraries’ efforts to develop reading

• One of four SCL “national offers”; reading, digital, information and health

• Developed with The Reading Agency • Strategy tied to local government improvement

through Local Government Group logic model• In England, integrated in Arts Council’s development

plans for libraries

Libraries’ reading work helps local

authorities achieve key outcomes

Economic impact and

value for money

strong and safe

communities (including

participation)

Health, well being and

quality of life

Learning, skills and

employability

Toolbox to plan local reading offer

National

Regional Local

Reading

Offer

• Baseline reading offer delivered by using mixture of local, regional and national work

• SCL has prioritised programmes and partnerships currently used by 60% of library authorities

• Aim to achieve a minimum of 80% of authorities using the prioritised elements of the toolbox – fewer, bigger things together to generate economies of scale.  

The ‘Vital Link’ principles

• Partnership between public libraries and learning providers

• Focus on integrating reading for pleasure into literacy learning

• Working with existing learners and reaching out to potential new learners

“Books have no place in this course; it’s about learning to read!”Basic skills tutor, ?

“The students didn’t think they could learn through reading. It’s been a revelation to them

that they could enjoy a book and still be learning.”

Skills for Life tutor, Tameside

Creating a virtuous circle

Learners engaged in (more) text

Learners enjoy reading

Learnerspractise skills

Learners improve skills

Learners want to read more

Defining the library offer

• Library accessible and welcoming to all adults with low literacy levels

• Library able to support adults’ learning and help them to move on

• Library offering books at the right reading level that inspire as well as inform

• Library offering creative activities around reading at the right level

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

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

Impact

Impact“I feel like a new more confident person now.”

Amy Gaskin, traveller who didn’t learn to read until she was 60, supported by Derbyshire Adult Education and library service

Westminster Libraries working with Westminster Adult Education Service – 209 completers

Event at No. 11 Downing Street on International Literacy Day 8 September

“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

• “I’d recommend every library authority should do it.” Rosemary Doyle, Head of Libraries & Heritage, Islington

• “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

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• www.readingagency.org.uk/sixbookchallenge • Prize draws for completers• Prize draws for colleges, prisons and workplaces –

author visits• Gold/silver/bronze award scheme

Tips for public libraries

• Partnership with local organisations• Profile for the library• Promotion of the right books• Prizes• Persistence• Party!

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 and some employers• 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

Selection criteria

• Readability level – SMOG formula• Length, design, layout, type size• ‘Proper’ book – no comprehension exercises, no

‘easy reader’ label• Hook to engage reader/interest factor• Straightforward structure, short chapters and

paragraphs, simple sentences• Beginner readers NOT beginner thinkers!

• www.quickreads.org.uk• www.accentpress.co.uk • www.newisland.ie• www.barringtonstoke.co.uk• www.ransom.co.uk • www.axiseducation.co.uk • www.newleafbooks.org.uk• www.gatehousebooks.org.uk • www.readwellroad.com

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• Dan Colagiovanni (sales enquiries)

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