Sefton children race to join summer library challenge

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-30 09:42 2 min read

A group of children gather around a bookshelf in a local library setting.

More than 2,000 children in Sefton have already joined this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge after just one week of the school holidays.

The music-themed Read to the Beat programme is running through Sefton Libraries, with books, activities and events designed to encourage children to keep reading during the long summer break.

How Sefton children can join

Children and families can sign up for free at any Sefton Library. The council has not provided a single closing date in the information supplied, so families should check with their local branch for the latest programme details.

Participants work towards a personal reading goal and can collect incentives as they progress. Children who complete their goal receive a certificate.

Sefton children race to join summer library challenge

Families looking for similar local guidance can also read about the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge in North Northamptonshire, although dates and arrangements differ between library authorities.

What Read to the Beat includes

Read to the Beat uses music as its theme, combining reading with library activities and events across Sefton. The programme is intended to make reading a positive, achievable summer activity while helping children maintain their reading skills away from school.

Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Libraries, Cllr Liz Dowd, said the early figures showed how strongly families value reading and their local libraries. She added that reading for pleasure can support children’s confidence and development.

A strong start for Sefton Libraries

Last summer, a record 3,100 children signed up by the end of the holidays. This year’s first-week total is already around 75% of that figure, suggesting participation could reach another high if the current pace continues.

Sefton is regularly among the North West’s best-performing library authorities for Summer Reading Challenge participation. The council also voted in January to support the Department for Education’s National Year of Reading 2026 campaign.

To take part, families can visit any Sefton Library and ask about joining Read to the Beat, incentives, certificates and activities at their local branch.

Source: Sefton Council

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The participation figures, programme details and sign-up instructions were checked against the supplied Sefton Council source.

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