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The theme was sport so Gloucestershire Libraries were inviting children and their families to get active, get reading and get free rewards.

Children received a free journal by taking part in the challenge, which took place from 14 July to 14 September. There were nine exciting sports-themed tasks and stamps could be collected for each completed task, with special rewards available at each level.

More than 2,000 children achieved ‘gold’ level, entering them into a special prize draw with prizes on offer including tickets and vouchers for local activities and attractions.

Two Library Sports Festivals were also held in Gloucester and Oakley, supported by Sports England, with over 700 people attending across both days.

They included a parade from the library to Kings School in Gloucester and Oakwood School in Oakley, along with activities ranging from cricket, rugby and football skill sessions, to Zumba, martial arts and sports day games.

In addition, Gloucestershire Libraries hosted more than 100 free events throughout the summer across libraries.

The fun will continue for families with the Gloucestershire Family Festival during October half-term and Halloween costume swaps.

The family festival, themed 'Fairytales and Fantasy', will be held in various non-library venues across the county. Each festival day will feature a range of fun activities including theatre and music performances, arts and crafts, storytelling, science experiments and more. This free festival aims to introduce the joy of reading and storytelling to children and families who don’t regularly engage with libraries.

The Family Festival is an Arts Council activity, not funded by the county council, that Gloucestershire Libraries have to find match funding for.

You can find out more about the family festival and give your support at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/gloucestershire-family-festival

All county libraries are running free Halloween costume swaps this autumn, to help families save money and reduce waste. You can donate a costume to any library up to 7 October and swap an old costume for a new one between 7 October and 1 November.

Accessories, whole and part costumes are accepted and you can still take a costume home if you don’t have one to swap. More information on how to have a sustainable Halloween can be found at: https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/how-to-have-a-sustainableish-halloween/

Preparations are already beginning for next year's Library Challenge, when the theme will be The Natural World.


 

“I’m delighted that this year’s Library Challenge was a great success and so many children signed up to take part. The challenge, along with the sports festivals and many other free events, allowed people to combine a love of sports and reading and involved the whole family.
Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for libraries
“There are more exciting events planned, with the Gloucestershire Family Festival taking place during half-term, so I’d encourage everyone to find out more and take part.”
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