running the six book challenge 2015. the reading agency independent national charity mission to give...
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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
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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)
[email protected] 0871 750 2104 / 07500 010 620
• David Kendall (prisons and workplaces)[email protected]
01225 862351 / 07814 060572• Daniel Colagiovanni (sales enquiries)
[email protected] • 0207 324 2547