Bookbug's Library Challenge

Early Years Library Joining and Usage Incentive Scheme

Bookbug's Library Challenge - the Early Years Library Joining and Usage Incentive Scheme - is provided free of charge to all Library Services across Scotland.

If you are a parent and would like to know more about the Bookbug's Library Challenge, please refer to the Bookbug for Parents section of our website.

Background

Bookbug's Library Challenge is the new library joining and usage incentive scheme.

A number of changes have been made to the Library Challenge, which we hope you will find beneficial. The changes include:

Improved, more positive name, which links directly to libraries, is clearer about what the scheme is about and encompasses the full age range of children involved.
Each certificate features a current, in print, picture book or picture book character, allowing libraries to create displays and to encourage parents to read the associated books, if desired.
There are seven different certificates to collect, but certificates from the previous year may be used until they are finished.

Bookbug’s Library Challenge Basic Information

Children can participate in the Library Challenge from birth until they start Primary School. (n.b. The advertising posters for the scheme say 'For children aged birth to four', as this was felt to be the easiest explanation to parents. Library staff should use their own discretion and if a child is five-years-old and hasn't started Primary School yet, they may join up to the Library Challenge)
Children must be a library member in their own right in order to participate in the Library Challenge
Children are given a collector's card when they join up to the Library Challenge
Every time the child visits the library and borrows books their collector card is date stamped or initialled
After six stamps the collector's card is exchanged for a certificate
There are seven certificates to collect
Certificates can be issued in any order

Certificates and Collector's Cards

There are seven certificates to collect, pictured on the right. Certificates can be awarded in any order.

Each certificate features a picture book, or picture book character.
The child's name and the date each certificate was awarded should be written on the certificates before being gifted to children.

Promotional Materials

There is an A3 Advertising Poster for Bookbug's Library Challenge which coordinator should receive along with their allocation of certificates and collector cards. The can be downloaded in PDF from the Bookbug Coordinator Promotional Resources page.

These posters should be distributed far and wide, try the following ideas and then feel free to add your own:

•   All Libraries and Mobile Libraries
•   Nurseries
•   Health Clinics and Doctors Surgeries
•   Supermarkets and Shopping Centres
•   Community Halls
•   Home-start and other Third Sector Partners

Have fun making displays in your libraries and nursery settings using the posters and a selection of the associated books. Or take inspiration from one of the books to make a beautiful display. Let your imagination run wild and have lots of fun!

Bookbug's Library Challenge web features

Once a month, from August 2011 we will be celebrating one of the titles featured on the Bookbug's Library Challenge certificates. There will be family activities, author and illustrator interviews and competitions to win books. Click here to visit the parents section of our website.

Recording Statistics

Bookbug Coordinators are required to record the total annual number of certificates that are given out during Bookbug's Library Challenge in their area. You can download a template certificate record sheet that can be given out to local libraries.

Click here to download the Bookbug's Library Challenge certificate record sheet.