Tag: reading

BIG Summer Read

Big Summer Read logo and banner. Vibrant coloured circles against a blue sky.

Keep the kids reading BIG this summer!

The BIG Summer Read is a statewide summer reading campaign for children and young people, open to anyone ages 0-18. It aims to encourage kids to read for pleasure and beat the ‘summer slide’ – the loss of literacy development over the long summer break when kids aren’t exposed to books or reading at school.

Track reading and complete challenges

Visit Beanstack to register now! Download the Beanstack app to collect your registration badge and meet this year’s cast of quirky characters.

Register now
BIG Summer Read character Red the book
BIG Summer Read character Connie the Ice-Cream Cone

Open from 1 December – 31 January

Keep reading in whatever format you choose! Book or audiobook – physical or digital – novel or comic book – it’s completely up to you.

Statewide prize winner announced 12 February

Winners will receive book packs donated by James Bennett.

  • Ages 0-4 – Board books
  • Ages 5-8 – Picture books
  • Ages 8-12 – Junior fiction/graphic novels
  • Ages 12-18 – YA fiction/graphic novels

Winners will be notified via email.

Pick up a Reading Log

You can also choose to grab a printed Reading Log from your local library. Completing a printed Reading Log doesn’t automatically enter you into the statewide prize draw – but it does enter you into the Your Library prize draw!

Win a Prize Pack from Your Library!

Submit your completed printed Reading Log to your local library by 31 January to go in the draw. The lucky winner will be announced on 12 February.

Big Summer Read character Bob the Apple

Start your BIG Summer Read journey with these red hot kids titles!

Keep reading... by listening! Check out these great eAudiobooks on BorrowBox.

BIG Summer Read slogan in bold yellow font: JOIN BORROW READ WIN

Brought to you by

BIG Summer Read creator logo for Public Libraries Victoria
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo Bolinda BorrowBox
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo James Bennett
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo Story Box Library
BIG Summer Read sponsor logo School Library Association of Victoria

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Literacy Support Services

Leap Into Literacy

Leap into Literacy is a free one-to-one literacy tutoring program for adults who would like support with reading, writing or numeracy. Our trained volunteers are matched with you to work on your own specific goal.

The focus of our program is goals-based. There are no tests, and all sessions are tailored to the needs of the learner.

You and your volunteer tutor will be matched based on availability and best fit. You will meet for one hour each week, at a time and library branch that is convenient for you both.

Our Regional Literacy Officer will talk to you about your availability, goals and location preferences in a short informal interview prior to matching you with a tutor.

Are you eligible?

You are able to access Leap into Literacy as a learner if you require basic literacy support. You must have a goal to improve your literacy. Eligibility for this program will be determined during the interview.

Contact

To express your interest in the service, or ask any questions, please call 03 9800 6417 or submit a query here.

Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering as a Leap Into Literacy tutor, please go to our Volunteers page.

Reading Buddies

Parents – do you struggle helping your child with their home reader? Are you not sure how to help your children choose what to read?

Reading Buddies are here to help!

This program is the perfect opportunity for parents to get some support to help their primary school-aged children to read.

Parents/caregivers and their children will

  • Listen to stories
  • Play games
  • Read together supported by our volunteer Reading Buddy

Are you eligible?

You are a parent/caregiver who would like some more support with your children’s primary school home reading.

To ensure you get the most out of the program, we have a limit of 2 children per adult.

Adults must participate in the session with their child.

Where and when?

Every Thursday during school terms, 4pm-5pm, at Bayswater Library.

More information

View these events on our calendar to learn more – or just come along and give it a try!

1000 Books Before School

Join the challenge and read 1000 books before the first day of school!

Reading together is the best way to encourage a love of books in your child. Reading daily helps children develop their vocabulary, understanding of themselves and others, and the skills they will need to be successful readers when they start school.

Your Library’s 1000 Books Before School program is all about encouraging reading in whatever way works best for your family. Whether it’s a book you’ve read together at home, a story from kinder, a library Storytime session, or your child’s dog-eared old favourite, log them all in your 1000 Books Before School reading record pack. You’ll also earn rewards at every step of your journey.

There is no fee to join. Simply complete the form below, collect your starter-pack, and start reading!

Why read 1000 books before school?

Early literacy skills are essential an building block for lifelong learning beyond primary and high school.

Research shows that reading with a child several times a week develops their literacy skills up to a year beyond their peers.

It’s easier than you might think to read 1000 books.

If you read three books a day, you can read more than 1000 books in a year. If you read just one book a day, you will finish in less than 3 years.

Repetition is great for developing early literacy skills, so if you read the same book more than once, you can count it each time you read.

Grandparent reading to young girl
Parent reading to baby

Every book counts

Every book that your child completes, or actively listens to, counts. This includes stories read at Storytime sessions, day-care and kindergarten, even the same book over and over again.

Reading or listening? Print or digital?

Borrowing physical books from your local library isn’t the only way Your Library can help you achieve 1000 books before school.

Audiobooks are a fantastic way to keep reading to kids. You can access more than 1,200 children’s audiobooks through our library catalogue.

On top of that, there are thousands and thousands of popular kids’ audiobooks available for free download at any time on the Libby app or BorrowBox app.

You can also watch hundreds of Australia’s favourite children’s book read just for you at Story Box Library. The stories are read by some of Australia’s favourite storytellers, including Justine Clarke, Nick Cave, Missy Higgins, Peter Hitchener, Andy Griffiths, Sally Rippin and many more.

How does it work?

Step 1: Join Online

Step 1: Fill out the form below.

Step 2: Collect Your Reading Pack

Step 2: Collect your reading record pack from your local library.

Step 3: Start reading

Step 3: Start reading! Any level, any format, any number of repeat reads.

Step 4: track progress

Step 4: Track your progress, achieve milestones, and collect rewards!

Fill out this form to start your 1000 Books journey!

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Keep up to date with the latest children’s news with this monthly newsletter. Events, resources, announcements, competitions and much more – sign up now!

Check out these latest kids' reads!