Library praises 'heart-warming' donation of books

The Summer Reading Challenge aims to encourage children aged between four and 11 to read six books during the six-week summer holiday

An under-threat library has described the response to its book appeal as "heart-warming" after more than 1,000 were received.

In June, Woodston Library in Peterborough, alongside St Augustine's Junior School, launched a campaign to tackle the city's low literacy rates ahead of the Summer Reading Challenge, a national initiative encouraging pupils to read six books during the summer holiday.

Jennie Storey from Friends of Woodston Library said they had "books coming in from all over the country."

"We are over the moon with the result," she said.

"We worked with the school and invited book recommendations from the pupils themselves.

"The school told us that the children were delighted to be involved in the project.

"It was a really successful book appeal, and we have managed to stock up the shelves with new and inspiring reads.

"It is really amazing, and this is the sort of initiative that could help make a real difference and boost literacy rates."

Sam Brunt, head teacher at the school, which is opposite the library, previously said he hoped the campaign would be a "major success".

The donated books will start their journey at Woodston Library but will be made available through the city's library network

In 2024, two-thirds (67%) of pupils in Peterborough attained the national average for reading by the time they left primary school, compared with 74% nationally.

This dropped to just 56% among Year 6 pupils who received free school meals, according to a Peterborough City Council report from March.

The appeal was made to overcome the impact of an eight-month book buying ban imposed by the council that has recently been lifted.

Knitted hearts have replaced graffiti on the library walls to make the space more "more accessible and welcoming", volunteers said

Woodston Library is one of several libraries on a list of assets owned by the council that could be sold or repurposed to balance its budget.

The authority has also proposed reducing the number of static libraries in the city from 10 to three to reduce its spending.

Ms Storey, who has been campaigning to save the library, said: "We have several sold-out children's events throughout the holidays.

"I don't know what else much we can do with the community to show how much this library is needed and wanted."