In order to encourage children to read widely and discuss their choices and opinions of books, the borough runs a year-round reading club in all libraries. Members read a wide choice of literature, both fiction and information titles, and then discuss their choices with their local librarian, answering questions about the books. The children receive small prizes after every twenty five books. As each phase of books is read they progress through the different levels of the Reading Zone. Children as young as four join in and are very welcome to do so, as long as they can show that they have understood the books they have chosen.
Most children leave the scheme when they go to secondary school but a few stay on for another year.
Twice a year there are special award ceremonies, attended by the Mayor, parents, sponsors of the scheme and of course children themselves, to celebrate those children who have tried particularly hard with their reading. The summer holiday provides an opportunity for families to spend time together and for children to get some fresh air and enjoy themselves at community activities and sports events. For several years the library service has run a summer reading club with locally produced publicity and prizes. This year it will be even bigger and better, will be called the Reading Relay and will be publicised at the Town Show and all primary phase schools well in advance of the starting date. Since it s opening in September 1991, the LRC has played an important part in supporting literacy at All Saints.