The Summer Reading Challenge is an annual reading engagement programme which aims to tackle the summer reading ‘dip’ by encouraging children aged 4-11 years to read for pleasure over the summer holidays. Children are invited to accept the challenge of setting a reading target (we recommend 6 books) for which they will receive a reward at the end.

Our challenge begins on Saturday 25th June and concludes on Saturday 20th August with award ceremonies to follow. Children can sign up and choose any 6 books to read at their leisure over the period of the challenge.

The theme for this year’s challenge is ‘Gadgeteers’. Developed in collaboration with the Science Museum Group, the challenge will show children that science is all around us every day and we hope that this will inspire them to unleash their curiosity and creativity!

Science Explosions

Calling all would be scientists out there!  Our Science Explosion events will last for a fun filled hour where any young scientists can enjoy and explore, from slime labs to exploding volcanoes and so much more. The event is suitable for school ages P3 to P7.

Places are limited and consent forms are required so we encourage you to call in to your local participating library to complete a form to book a place.

These events are free to library members – not already a member, don’t worry you can join at time of booking.

Dunoon

Newly added

Friday 5th August

11am -12pm

Oban

Thursday 28th July

2.30 – 3.30pm

Rothesay

Wednesday 27th July

2.30 – 3.30pm

Helensburgh

Tuesday 2nd August

2 – 3pm

Campbeltown

Thursday 28th July

2.30 – 3.30pm

Lochgilphead

Friday 5th August

2.30 – 3.30pm

Open Events

Over the summer we will be hosting  intergenerational events to celebrate all things science and gadgets. The events are suitable for all ages – library members, families and friends. ALL are welcome! See below for participating libraries.

Oban

Thursday 7th July

2 – 4pm

Rothesay

Wednesday 13th July

2 – 4pm

Dunoon

Tuesday 26th July

11am – 12.30pm

Mini Exhibitions

Mini exhibitions showing gadgets from the past will be available to view throughout the challenge at our libraries in Campbeltown, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Rothesay and Oban.

GADGET APPEAL

We are asking that you donate (for the summer only) any gadgets that you have lying around your home that have a science theme from the past but also any tech items such as floppy discs, original Gameboys, Sony Walkman, old mobile phones or house phones. Remember the trim phone? We promise to take good care of any donated items.

You can hand in any items to your libraries in Campbeltown, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Rothesay and Oban any time.

Drawing Competition

The Gadgeteer character, James loves to draw and design clothes so we are inviting all of our young members to enter our drawing competition. There are 2 options available – you can design an item of clothing, like James, or you can design a gadget all from your own imagination. Just hand your entry to a member of our library team and we’ll display it throughout the summer. At the end of the Summer Reading Challenge a winner will be chosen from the entries in each of our libraries. The winner will receive a fantastic book ‘Unmasked – The Science of Superheroes’.

Activity Tables

From 25th June until 20th August, Activity Tables will be available at all liveArgyll libraries.

Families are invited to come along and enjoy science themed activities and games – and it’s all FREE.

Check out our library opening hours here.

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