Challenge Wraps Up After 632,878 Books Read

Elementary school students in Salt Springs, Pictou Co., have closed the book on an international pilot program that challenged them and other students to be more active readers.

The Wow! Reading Challenge, an inititative of the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program, encouraged a love of reading in school age children. The challenge was created and delivered by Nova Scotia public libraries in partnership with the Chignecto Central Regional School Board and local police agencies.

As part of the challenge, students from Cumberland and Pictou counties, together with students from schools in County Clare in Ireland, read 632,878 books between November 2006 and June 2007. A total of 7,472 students took part in the challenge.

The participation of the County Clare students marked the first international component of the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program, which has spread across Canada.

A total of 51 schools participated in the three counties.

"Public libraries play an important role in supporting and encouraging the love of reading. This is an exciting example of what can happen when public libraries and public schools work together," said Karen Casey, Minister of Education. "I congratulate all students who took part in this challenge for embracing it with vigour. They have further developed their love of reading, which will help them to develop literacy skills throughout their lives."

Through the program, schools were eligible for cash prizes based on participation:

• Salt Springs Elementary received the competition's top prize of $3,000 after 80 students read 21,085 books. That is an average of about 264 books per student.

• Oxford Regional Elementary in Cumberland County earned the second place prize of $1,000 after 208 students read 53,298 books. That is an average of about 256 books per student.

• Moyasta National School in County Clare also earned the third place prize of $1,000 after 21 students read 2,740 books. That is an average of 130 books per student.

The prize money will be used for new books in the school libraries.

The reading challenge was an initiative of the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program fostering partnerships between police, libraries, businesses, and communities to promote literacy as a long-term crime prevention strategy.

Studies show encouraging children and youth to read regularly improves their literacy skills and helps them develop self esteem and make better decisions. As a result they will be less likely to engage in activities such as bullying and crime.

The Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program was started by Pictou County RCMP Const. John Kennedy almost a decade ago.