Children aged between five and 12 years old are invited to take part in the Summer Reading Programme, ‘Get carried away with books!’ This free programme will run for four weeks from Tuesday, 5 January to Friday, 29 January 2015 at the Whakatāne and Murupara Libraries, with rewards for those who participate.

For those without a library card, this is also a great opportunity to join. Caregivers need to supply two forms of identification - a photo ID such as a driving licence or passport, and a phone bill or similar that shows the bearer’s name and current address.

Pre-registration for the programme starts from 15 December and ensures that you will have a place on the reading programme, though participants still need to come in on Registration Day—Tuesday, 5 January 2016—to complete registration cards. Programme folders also need to be collected by Friday, 8 January.

A Challenge booklet offering puzzles, quizzes, library hunts and other activities will also be available at the Horizon Energy Library in Whakatāne and the Ōhope, Edgecumbe, and Murupara Libraries. This is specifically for children who are not taking part in the reading programme, but still want to be involved with the library over the summer holiday. No library card is required, but participants must live in the Whakatāne District.

Throughout the holiday period, help will be on hand to assist children with reading aloud through special sessions aimed at beginning or reluctant readers, helping them grow in confidence and develop their literacy skills.