The annual Summer Reading Challenge starts on Saturday 5 July for children under 11, with a mini challenge for under 5s.

With fun booklets, stickers and an eco-friendly medal and certificate for those who complete it, this challenge is destined to be as popular as ever.

The idea is that children enjoy six books throughout the summer holidays, either by reading themselves, shared reading aloud, listening to audiobooks or reading in a different way such as a graphic novel or a recipe book.

Adults will also be included in a summer of reading. With research from the Reading Agency showing that one in two adults do not read regularly, the Big Tasty Read is designed to encourage more people to discover the joy of reading, boosting their well-being.

Recognising the powerful connection between food, culture and storytelling, Norfolk Libraries will be highlighting books that explore the role of food in peoples’ lives, whether through fiction or memoirs.

“Why not challenge a family member or friend to do this with you?” said Kristen Barrett, manager of Reepham and Aylsham Libraries. “Let’s make it an amazing summer of books.”

Call in and speak to a member of staff to sign up to the library or the challenge – it’s all free.

Contact: Reepham Library, Bircham Centre, Market Place, Reepham NR10 4JJ. Tel: 01603 870474.

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The adult non-fiction is in the main room of the library as you enter, with lots of books on display to tempt you to try a new hobby or learn a new skill.

There is a new crime corner where you can find all your favourite authors such as Elly Griffiths and James Patterson.

The adult fiction is now in the middle of the library with a themed centre table. Reservations are on the trolley beside the staff desk.

Teenage fiction is on a spinner that leads through to the back room, which is now solely a children’s area, where you will find your favourite authors such as Karl Newson and J.K. Rowling, as well as parenting books.

Beside the main door is the Warm And Well offering, where you can collect free toiletries, hot water bottles and blankets.

Do let the staff know what you think: this is your library.

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Children’s reading can “dip” during the long summer break, making it harder for them returning to school. In addition, reading for pleasure has so many proven benefits, including developing empathy by identifying with characters and improving mental well-being.

This year the theme is “Ready, Set, Read!”. It has been produced by the Reading Agency in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and will be delivered by Norfolk Library and Information Service with lots of activities at local libraries.

More than 700,000 children sign up to the challenge every year. To join, children will need to be a library member. This is free of charge and children will receive their own library card for which there are no overdue fees.

Children will each be given a pack. They can set their own reading challenge (six books over the six-week period are recommended) and can choose their own books that can include e-books from the virtual library.

Children collect stickers along the way and on completion of the challenge will receive a medal and certificate of achievement. There is a digital platform too, so the fun can carry on at home.

Children can take part in the challenge HERE.

Reepham Library events over the summer:

• Sports day/story time: Wednesday 26 July, 11 am – 12 noon – lots of fun events in the garden
• Sporty Coding session: Wednesday 9 August, 2.30–4 pm for ages 7–11 years (please book HERE or see staff)
• Scavenger Hunt: Wednesday 23 August, 2–3 pm, followed by Teddy Bears’ Picnic at 3 pm in the Bircham Centre garden with drinks, biscuits and cake
• Craft: 2 August and 16 August, 10.30 am – 12 noon, make a cork boat or build a book

All events are free.

Contact: Reepham Library, Bircham Centre, Market Place, Reepham NR10 4JJ. Tel: 01603 870474

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A 3D owl made during last year’s Digifest. Photo: Reepham Library

Wednesday 8 February, 3.30 pm, Reepham Library: Build your own amazing creation with fabulous 3D pens. Free event for ages 8+. Booking essential at www.norfolk.gov.uk/digifest or call 01602 774777.

New: Children’s Craft club at Reepham Library, starts Saturday 28 January, 10.30 am – 12 noon: a free drop-in event. Join volunteer Daisy for a different themed craft activity every week.

Reepham Library is also looking at starting a group for young people with autism. This will be a small group, meeting once a month in a quiet space, perhaps with board games and a hot drink. If this is something that interests you please let the library know.

Reepham Library opening hours:

• Monday: 2–7 pm.
• Wednesday: 9.30 am – 1 pm and 2–5 pm.
• Friday: 10 am – 1 pm and 2–5 pm.
• Saturday: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm

Tel: 01603 870474

www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries

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Ben Miller of The Book Hive, Aylsham, presents the prize token to Eve Hedges, with her brother Rowan, outside Aylsham Library.

The libraries also held their annual Summer Reading Challenge. All the children who read their six books for the challenge and collected their stickers entered a Spot the Robot competition.

This year, The Book Hive, Aylsham, sponsored this competition, offering a £10 book token to Eve Hedges, the prize winner at Aylsham Library, and to Rupert Large at Reepham Library.

Ben Miller from The Book Hive, Aylsham, said: “Since we opened at the beginning of July, we’ve been bowled over by the enthusiasm of Aylsham readers young and old.

“We jumped at the chance to support the library with this exciting scheme, which has encouraged thousands of young people to keep on reading through the summer holidays.

“As a former community librarian myself, I really value the role libraries play in making books and reading available to everyone.”

Eve (age 7), the Aylsham winner, said: “I was very excited when I got my voucher. I got a Rainbow Magic book about kittens because we’re getting a new kitten soon and I love the Rainbow Magic books.”

Sara Caistor, library manager, Aylsham & Reepham Libraries, said: “Remember that libraries are for the whole year. There’s lots more reading and fun to be had as the days gets darker.”

See the website for details of what’s on at your local library.

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Children can join and read six library books over the summer holidays and get stickers, a certificate and a medal.

The reading challenge is free and easy to take part – drop into your local library for details. There will also be a prize of a £10 book token donated by Aylsham’s new bookshop, The Book Hive.

Free events at Reepham Library:

• Wednesday 27 July, 11 am – 12.30 pm: Slime workshop (booking essential)
• Friday 12 August, 3.30–4.30 pm: Lego Marble Run (drop-in event)
• Wednesday 24 August 11 am – 12.30 pm: Craft, make your own spyglasses (drop-in event)

Children under eight must please be accompanied by an adult.

To book click HERE. For more information, telephone Reepham Library 01603 870474 or drop in and speak to staff.

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A new digital inclusion programme is also being trialled, in which trained volunteers teach the service’s clients how to access critical information digitally and how to download books online.

The expansion means that the home library service is looking for new clients, volunteers and volunteer co-ordinators.

Volunteers work alongside their local library to select and deliver books and other media to those who find it difficult to leave the house or have mobility issues or caring responsibilities.

The service also provides regular, friendly social contact to check if clients are safe and well, to discuss reading and listening preferences, and to report any concerns to appropriate services as needed.

Volunteer co-ordinators liaise with local libraries, manage a network of local volunteers to arrange book deliveries, recruit new volunteers and build relationships with local community groups to promote the service.

As part of the new digital inclusion programme, digital service co-ordinators may offer their skills in workshops to train volunteers to use various devices, apps and programs that the service’s clients find challenging.

Alicia Stillman, service manager for the Royal Voluntary Service Norfolk Home Library Service, said: “For people who find leaving their homes problematic, the home library service offers a vital link to the local library and a welcome connection with a friendly face.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the significant number of vulnerable adults living in isolation.

“During the past two years, it has also become apparent that many socially isolated people were not able to access vital information due to digital illiteracy.

“Instruction on downloading eBooks, accessing GP and council services, and setting up videoconferencing can often be more easily explained in person, in an informal setting, one on one.

“Through the new digital inclusion programme, with the help of our dedicated volunteers, we hope to bring clients back to the activities they love, prevent further isolation, and provide companionship and support.”

To sign up to the Home Library Service, contact the Norfolk Library and Information Service on 0344 800 8020 or email, or contact Reepham Library direct on 01603 870474.

To sign up to become a volunteer or co-ordinator of the Norfolk Home Library Service, contact the Royal Voluntary Service HERE.

For further information about the roles, contact Alicia Stillman, Royal Voluntary Service Norfolk Community Service Manager, on 01603 397998 or email.

The Royal Voluntary Service is one of the UK’s largest volunteering charities with volunteers supporting the National Health Service and thousands of vulnerable people in the community.

The charity has delivered the NHS Volunteer Responders programme for NHS England enabled by the GoodSAM app with volunteers responding to more than two million requests for help and supporting with over 230,000 shifts at vaccination sites.

The charity has also worked in local communities through the coronavirus pandemic running home libraries, companionship support, home from hospital services and patient transport.

Its Virtual Village Hall provides live classes and tutorials on Facebook to promote well-being and keep people active and occupied through the pandemic.

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The following bags are available from all Norfolk libraries:

• Tricky Period to Go: bags of sanitary products including sanitary pads, menstrual cups and washable sanitary pads.
• Toiletries to Go: a bag including deodorant, bodywash, shampoo, soap, hand gel, a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Keep Warm and Go: a bag containing gloves, a thermal top, socks, a scarf, a blanket and a hat (also available from mobile libraries).
• Coming soon: Cleaning to Go bags, containing washing-up liquid, spray cleaner, a dishcloth and washing tablets/powder.

If you’re struggling to afford necessities, please take what you need from any Norfolk library.

For more information, visit:

• www.norfolk.gov.uk/trickyperiod
• www.norfolk.gov.uk/keepwarm

Meanwhile, Just a Cuppas are a great opportunity to meet and chat with other people at your local library.

Through the Department for Work and Pensions Household Support Fund, Norfolk Libraries have also added hot chocolate, instant soup and snacks to Just a Cuppas until the end of March.

The Reepham Library Just a Cuppa is held every Friday from 2.45–3.45 pm, all welcome.

For Reepham Library location and opening hours, click HERE

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The charity shop, book stall, library and Country Market will all be open on that day; closing times will depend on the availability of volunteers to extend hours, but all the retail elements will be open at least until lunchtime.

Reepham Library will be open for collection and return of books from 1–6 pm. All borrowed items will be automatically renewed until further notice. You will not be charged overdue fees, and any existing changes will not increase during this time; this covers all items, including books, DVDs and music. You can reserve items ready for when libraries re-open, but will not be able to request inter-library loans while Norfolk libraries are closed.

All Bircham Centre internal classes, courses and hirers will cease for lockdown. There is an exception for the Eves Hill education classes in the garden on Mondays and possibly Wednesday mornings; we await guidance and confirmation on the latter.

So far the government has not told us to close gardens again so we intend to leave the gate open as fresh air and green space is so important for all our well-being.

With the exception of Monday and Wednesday mornings the garden will be open for people to enjoy. We would just ask that dog-owners refrain from exercising their dogs in the garden and that everyone takes responsibility to keep this as a safe and secure shared space.

Hand sanitiser is available in the Market Place and the public toilets on Pudding Pie Alley remain open.

Polly Brockis, Bircham Centre Manager

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Safety measures have been put in place to provide a Covid-secure environment for visitors to the library, which is located in the Bircham Centre, Market Place.

The library entrance is now at the back of the Bircham Centre – please follow the signs. There is a doorbell to press for staff attention; when they are able, they will let customers into the library.

Please bring your library card with you. You may also be asked for details to help with NHS Test and Trace.

You will need to wear a face covering in the library and there is limited access of one person or one family bubble of up to three people.

Hand sanitiser is available for use on the way in and out of the library.

Surfaces and computers will be regularly wiped down, and returned books will be quarantined for 72 hours.

There are no newspapers, magazines or seats in the library, and the toilet is not available.

The new opening hours are:

• Monday: 10 am–4 pm
• Wednesday: 1–6 pm
• Friday: 10 am–1 pm and 1.30–4 pm
• Saturday: 10 am–1 pm

The library is also open for computer use only during the following times:

• Monday: 4–6 pm
• Wednesday: 10 am–12 noon

You will need to book a computer in advance for one 60-minute session by phoning 01603 774777.

Borrowed items can be returned through the drop box, which is situated at the new library entrance on days it is open.

Borrowers can pre-order a selection of up to 10 books for adults for free through Select and Collect: use the online form or call 01603 774777.

Also available are the new Grab and Go children’s book bags for families.

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