Turn the page for summer fun with Darlington Libraries
The latest page turner has hit the shelves at Darlington Libraries as its Summer Activities 2024 booklet is now available, packed with a host of summer fun coming your way.
The fun kicks off this Saturday (20 July) with the start of the annual Summer Reading Challenge, which runs until Saturday 7 September. The challenge is open to under 16s and aims to encourage them to keep reading over the holidays to help prevent the reading dip often seen by teachers on the return to school.
To take part, simply borrow books from Darlington or Cockerton Library and you can enter a maximum of once per day into a free prize draw to win a host of prizes, including: Playstation 5 and game, SimFly family flight experience, Lego set, Cluedini escape room experience, Sim King gaming party, family match day tickets for Darlington FC, family pantomime tickets for Darlington Hippodrome and The Majestic, GiGi’s soft play vouchers, Jellycat Octopus, baby sensory box, Sculpd Kids craft kits, Minions Operation game.
For the first time this year, parents are being invited to join in too, setting a good example for the children while they take part in the challenge. Whenever a parent borrows a book using your own library card, you can enter a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher.
A host of activities, workshops and events will be held every weekday and Saturdays, during the school holidays at both libraries, with everything from Teddy Bears Sleepovers, movie afternoons and workshops for younger children to specialist workshops in coding, animation and 3D design in The Hive for older ones.
Darlington Libraries will also be hosting a Library Takeover Day in the Market Square on Wednesday 7 August, 11am-3pm, offering a fun-filled day out as it showcases fantastic entertainers, storytellers, authors and more.
Children, and adults, can join in the fun with crafts, facepainting, Bubble Man, stilt walkers and find out more about what’s on offer at their local libraries.
Cllr Libby McCollom, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for local services, said: “Our libraries’ staff have pulled out all the stops to put together our biggest summer events programme yet.
“The Summer Reading Challenge always proves popular and is a great way to encourage our younger residents to enjoy reading over the holidays, and we hope adding the draw for adults will give parents the incentive to do so too. Reading can be relaxing and opens up whole new worlds, whatever your age!
“There’s also a whole host of activities throughout the holidays, and for those who’ve not discovered Darlington Libraries yet do join us in the Market Square for a chance to see what you’re missing!”
You can pick up a copy of Darlington Libraries Summer Activities booklet at either of the libraries or look out for them at various locations around the town including the Dolphin Centre and Darlington Hippodrome. The full programme can also be found on the Darlington Libraries website.
There’s a mix of free, chargeable, drop-in and bookable events, with something for children of all ages. Bookable events can be seen in detail and booked via Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk or download the app.
To find out more about Darlington Libraries, the fantastic range of resources it offers and details of events/activities log onto the website at www.darlington.gov.uk/library or download the Darlington Library App. You can also find them on Facebook @DarlingtonLibraries or on Twitter @DarlLibs
Photo caption, L-R: Suzy Hill, library manager, and Cllr Libby McCollom, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for local services, ready to turn the page on Darlington Libraries’ Summer Activities 2024 booklet.