Summer Reading Challenge
Every West Lothian Library participates in the Summer Reading Challenge, produced by The Reading Agency. This years theme is 'Story Garden' with free activities for families kicking off from 21st of June 2025!
The Reading Agency and libraries are excited to introduce the Summer Reading Challenge 2025, The Story Garden; Adventure in Nature and the Great Outdoors! Delivered in partnership with libraries.
The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school aged children and is designed for all reading abilities. Children can read whatever they like - comic books, fact books, joke books, picture books - just as long as they are borrowed from the library. Children receive special rewards each time they finish a book and there's a certificate and medal for everyone who completes the Challenge.
Find out more about this year's Challenge and sign up in your local library from Saturday 21st of June or sign up to take part online on the Summer Reading Challenge website (opens new window)
In addition, our libraries will host a wide variety of events and activities for families to enjoy throughout the summer. For more information please check your local library's webpage: (or click the library webpage links below):
- Almondbank Library (Craigshill)
- Armadale Library
- Blackburn Library
- Carmondean Library @ Livingston North Partnership Centre, Carmondean, EH54 8PT
- East Calder Library
- Fauldhouse Library
- Ian Tennant Library, Whitburn
- Lanthorn Library
- The Lex Davidson Library (formerly known as Broxburn Library)
- Linlithgow Library
- Simpson Library (Bathgate)
- West Calder Library
How to take part in 'The Story Garden'
Who can take part? The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all primary school-aged children. It is a flexible programme that is designed for all levels of ability.
Available in West Lothian Libraries and online on the Summer Reading Challenge website (opens new window) from Saturday 21st of June 2025.
Take part in your local library (packs available while stocks last):
1. Visit your local library and sign up to the Challenge for free and receive your 'Story Garden' pack.
2. Set a personal reading goal for the summer (we recommend six books).
3. Borrow and read any titles of your choice. You can read anything you like: fiction, fact books, poetry, joke books, picture books, graphic novels, comic books etc...
4. Collect special incentives from the library each time you finish a book.
5. Receive a certificate and/or medal for taking part, or for reaching their Challenge goal.
Take part online:
1. Sign up on the Summer Reading Challenge website (opens new window)
2. Set a personal reading goal for the summer.
3. Receive book recommendations and tips for accessing books for free at home.
4. Each time you finish a book, add it to your online profile and leave a review. You will unlock digital badges and online rewards along the way.
5. Unlock a certificate for reaching your Challenge goal.
You can also play games, enter competitions, share book recommendations, download activities and more on our free, safe, moderated platform Summer Reading Challenge website (opens new window).
About the Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge is run by the Reading Agency for children across the UK and is delivered in partnership with public libraries. It has been running for the past 26 years and aims to foster a lifelong love of reading and tackle the drop off in reading that can happen over the school summer holidays. Children are challenged to read books over the summer and encouraged to enjoy reading for fun. Each year has a different theme - 2024 was 'Marvellous Makers!' and 2023 was 'Ready, Set, Read'.
Children's reading can 'dip' during the long summer holidays if they don't have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure. This can be a problem for schools to put right in the new term. The Summer Reading Challenge helps by regularly reaching over 700,000 children each year, motivating them to visit the library and keep reading during the holidays, and in turn helping them to maintain their reading skills and confidence.
About The Reading Agency
The Reading Agency is a national charity that tackles life's big challenges through the proven power of reading. We work closely with partners to develop and deliver programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds; our vision is for a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life.
We help 1.9 million people benefit from reading every year, through our programmes, our tireless campaigning, our excellent networks and our power to influence, challenge and make change happen. www.readingagency.org.uk
