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The number of Participants in this year's Summer Reading Challenge grew by almost 6%, The Reading Agency has reported.
Team Read, which challenged children to read six books with a sporting theme over the summer break, attracted 690,000 four to twelve-year-olds, compared with 650,000 participants in the event in 2007. Chatterbooks, the UK-wide network of library reading groups for children, also grew this year, with over 7,600 children taking part (6,000 in 2007).
Meanwhile, the Six Book Challenge, the adult literacy scheme for adults which kicked off in 2008, also running through public libraries, attracted 7,000 participants of whom 79% achieved their goal. Eleven new HeadSpaces (library areas for teenagers) opened in 2008, with nine more set to open next year in locations including Southampton, Medway and Bristol.
Reading Agency director Miranda McKearney said: "In the National Year of Reading, it's great to celebrate these successes. These are examples of the green shoots of libraries' 21st century role as vibrant community centres for reading. Let's build on them."