New reading campaign encourages Dacorum children to visit their local library this Spring

Hertfordshire Libraries is launching a new reading for pleasure campaign aimed at primary school aged children.

Libraries across Hertfordshire will be rolling out a new, free offer ‘Growing into Reading’, which aims to encourage children and their families to visit their local library this Spring.

Each child visiting a Hertfordshire library from Thursday, May 13, will be gifted a brightly coloured ‘Growing into Reading’ giant bookmark and a ‘throw and go’ wildflower seed bomb to take home - whilst stocks last.

At their next visit to a library, children can get their special bookmark stamped to help cultivate a love of reading and to make library visits a regular activity.

‘Growing into Reading’ will also support the launch of this year’s 2021 Summer Reading Challenge in July, which will also feature an environmental theme - ‘Wild World Heroes’.

Michele Murphy, acting head of libraries, said: “This is a creative way to encourage children and their families to visit their library regularly and develop a lifetime love of reading for pleasure whilst planting a seed bomb that will support vital pollinating insects.

"By rewarding children for visiting the library, we will help encourage them to discover a wide range of exciting new books as well as firm favourites."

Hertfordshire libraries have welcomed customers back into most of their 46 libraries in line with the next step in the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. Customers are able to browse the bookshelves and to use the self-service kiosks for borrowing and returning items.

Social distancing measures are in place at our libraries, including:

- queue management

- screens on enquiry desks

- hand sanitiser stations

- quarantine areas for returned books.

Customers are advised to please remember to:

> limit the amount of time they spend in the library to 15 minutes

> bring their library card

> book a PC in advance if they want to use a computer

> scan the QR code or leave their contact details for Test and trace

> wear face coverings during their visit

> stay at home if they are self-isolating or have COVID-19 symptoms.