Inspire, the Community Benefit Society launched by Nottinghamshire County Council to manage its libraries, archives and cultural services, is looking to recruit volunteers to support the forthcoming Summer Reading Challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge is co-ordinated nationally by The Reading Agency and takes place in all Nottinghamshire libraries each summer. Children are encouraged to read up to six books of their choice, earning rewards along the way.

Last summer more than 10,000 children in Nottinghamshire taking part in the challenge – more than ever before. A total of 98 volunteers gave up some of their spare time – a total of 1,512 hours – to support the campaign and help children discover the pleasure of reading.

Inspire has now formally launched its volunteer search for this coming summer. Potential volunteers have until 20 May to register their interest. We are looking for people aged 14 years and upwards, to be able to commit around 12–15 hours (averaging 2–3 hours a week) between 23rd July and 2nd September.

Coun John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Research shows that keeping up with reading during the summer holidays can boost a child’s literacy skills and development. We are always proud of people who give some of their time to work with our libraries and help ensure this scheme continues to be a fantastic success.”

Libraries at Forest Town, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse and Sutton-in-Ashfield are taking part.

Trainee teachers, young people seeking to develop their CV and employability skills and many book lovers within local communities have benefited from the volunteering opportunities in recent years.

The tasks involved are:

· Sharing enthusiasm for reading by listening and chatting with children about the books they read during the challenge

· Explain to children and their parents/carers how the challenge works

· Register children for the challenge and hand out stickers and rewards when they complete various progression stages

· Keep the challenge records up to date by completing and filing registration cards.

Those who are selected to take part will receive full training before starting and colleagues will also be on hand to answer questions and give support during volunteering.

Benefits include:

· gaining new skills and confidence and experience of working with children

· meeting new people and working as part of a team.

Volunteers will also be able to claim for travel costs to and from the library and will receive a certificate for taking part.

Application forms are available at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/libraryvolunteers or you can contact Steve Powell on 07944 428 951 or email [email protected]

Closing date for applications is Friday, 20th May.

Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge