Andrew Givan, Lifelong Learning Librarian, Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire was one of 19 Scottish library authorities which invested in Six Book Challenge materials in 2008. 27 out of 38 participants successfully completed the Challenge with many making very inspirational journeys in their quest to improve their standards of literacy.
Renfrewshire signed up again this year, and have successfully worked in partnership with Adult Literacies Renfrewshire on workplace outreach at Haven, a factory which employs people with disabilities, and also at Arriva bus depots. They have also continued to work with partner agencies including Buddies for Learning, Momentum Scotland and the Disability Resource Centre who ran their own Six Book Challenge reading groups. This year twice as many people signed up as on the previous year and 38 completed the Challenge.
They held their awards ceremony on the 18th June, attended by 60 people, with Des Dillon, author of The Blue Hen, guest speaking and presenting the certificates. Two students, Paul and Thomas, confidently delivered a speech to the audience at the ceremony about participating in the challenge .
Two other members of the group, had this to say about participating in the Six Book Challenge:
"Andrew, the Librarian came and told the group about the Six Book Challenge. We all got involved and chose books. Andrew helped us sometimes. It got more and more interesting with each book." Jackie
"I've done the Challenge before, which started me going to a reading group once a month. I think it's great to be able to be given the chance to read different authors, different styles, different subjects etc. and then discuss them with other readers. I highly recommend this to other people, it's very rewarding." Elaine
Andrew Givan, Lifelong Learning Librarian, Ferguslie Park Community Library, concludes: "I'd like to thank The Reading Agency for their support and long may the Six Book Challenge continue!"
