Bookstart Coordinator Ruth Pinney tells us how she launched the Book Crawl Challenge and increased library memberships and issues.
We invited early years groups to visit their local library for a themed story and rhyme session linking to their current topic.
Families were welcomed to the library, before enjoying their stories and rhymes, sharing books and joining the library. Library staff provided further support by helping them choose books to borrow.
Each group then had some time, usually two months, to complete the Book Crawl Challenge. When done, we arranged a special presentation of Book Crawl certificates, either at the library or in their setting, and often with the Bookstart Bear in attendance!
We evaluated the success of the the Challenge through a questionnaire given to parents. The results showed:
- Only 15% of the children were library members before the Challenge.
- 95% of parents and carers reported that the Challenge had made a positive difference to their family.
- Parents and carers commented that the presentation of the certificates made taking part ‘very special’ for the children.
- Early years staff felt that completing the Book Crawl Challenge, as a group, provided a support system for families who wouldn’t normally visit the library.
- Library memberships and issues have increased.
- Parents are more aware of library facilities and resources.
- Parents feel more confident in taking their children to the library.
- Children, parents and carers enjoyed the experience.
About the Bookstart Book Crawl in Wales
The Bookstart Book Crawl is the library incentive programme for schemes in Wales. It works by rewarding children for using the library – for every four books borrowed, they receive a colourful, bilingual Book Crawl certificate.
Participation in Wales in 2010/11
- 230 libraries around Wales (80% of the total) use Bookstart Book Crawl
- 4,254 Book Crawl certificates were given out to children in libraries
- 27,243 books were lent to children taking part in Book Crawl.