Library Supports Summer Reading Challenge for Young Minds

Ararat Rural City Library will this year participate in the BIG Summer Read, an annual reading campaign aimed at encouraging young people to read and engage with their local public library.

This collaborative Public Libraries Victoria initiative is the largest Public Library supported reading challenge in Australia and focuses on ensuring that all children have access to the resources they need to maintain literacy skills over the summer school holidays.

Now in its fourth year, the campaign seeks to encourage children to read for pleasure and addresses the issue of the 'summer slide' which refers to the loss of literacy experienced over the long summer break if children are not exposed to books or reading.

The BIG Summer Read program is open from 1 December 2024 - 31 January 2025 and is open to anyone ages 0-18. For more information, and to join the challenge, go to: https://www.plv.org.au/projects/big-summer-read/ 

"The Big Summer Read challenge is a fantastic opportunity for young people living in Ararat Rural City to explore our library’s wonderful collection, discover a new favourite book and hopefully spark a lifelong love of reading,” says Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong. 

Ararat Rural City Library and Lake Bolac Library are a part of the Central Highlands Libraries Group. You can join the Library, search the catalogue and access online services at: www.centralhighlandslibraries.org.au 

The Library also runs an Outreach Service to Elmhurst, Pomonal, Moyston, Streatham and Willaura.

More information on Ararat Rural City Library services can be found at: https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/services/library.