It’s time for stories to come alive

Our popular Summer Reading Challenge is back.

Oldham Council’s Libraries and The Reading Agency want our young people to become reading superstars.

Throughout the summer we are holding a series of free events and activities across the borough that four to 11-year-olds can get involved in, keeping their minds and bodies active while having some fun.

All those who take part in the challenge and read six library books over the summer will collect stickers and rewards. Finishers will receive a certificate and medal to take into school.

It’s great way for our young people to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.

Here’s a tast of what’s in store:

• Sign Up at StoryFest, 13 July, 11am – 3pm, Oldham Library (or any other library across the borough)
  Sign up for free and meet up with StoryFest authors, inlcuding Oliver Sykes, Marie Bastings, Jo Lindley and Salma Zaman at Oldham Library. The fabulous Mama G, one of our favourite storytellers, will be compering
  We are also encouraging you to become a Marvellous Maker and to get creative by taking part in a competition to design our new environmentally friendly library card. The winner will receive a voucher to Summit Up. For more information visit –
• Weekly Community Library Activities, at libraries across the borough. Check out the HLA website to find out more and book a place
• Celebration Day, 7 September, Oldham Library Oldham – Fun activities to celebrate your Summer Reading Challenge success.

Carrying on the Marvellous Maker theme, while you are in the town centre signing up on the Saturday 13 July why not pop along to the Parish Church and listen to our young people making sweet music?

The Oldham Music Centre Summer Music Festival will be on from 10am. Watch live performances on From brass bands to guitars, orchestras to rock bands and choirs to wind bands there will be something for all tastes.

Councillor Peter Dean, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture, said: “Our Summer Reading Challenge is a great, fun and free way to help young people with their reading over the six-week holidays.

“From previous years we know that those who take on the challenge really benefit and it shows when they return to school in September.

“The reading challenge can also help introduce families to our superb libraries so they can explore the range of books and services available all year round.”

The Summer Reading Challenge runs from 13 July until 7 September.

StoryFest has become a reality thanks to the sponsorship of Kajima and Infrared. The support of The National Literacy Trust to facilitate the wonderful donation of books from British Land means that many children will take home a free copy of one of the author’s books on the day.

For full details and how to book onto activities visit: