July Library Ideas: Keeping Children Reading Throughout the Summer
As the school year comes to an end, keeping children excited about reading can be a challenge. The summer holidays are a great opportunity to encourage pupils to explore new books, discover different genres, and build positive reading habits that continue beyond the classroom.
From summer reading challenges to activities that celebrate kindness, friendship, and a love of books, here are some simple ideas to inspire young readers this July.
1) Summer Reading Challenge: Make Reading Part of the Summer Adventure (Throughout July)
A summer reading challenge is a great way to keep children motivated once the school year finishes. Instead of making reading feel like homework, turn it into an exciting goal that children can complete at their own pace.
Libraries can encourage pupils to:
• Set their own reading targets
• Create a summer reading diary to record their progress
• Write short reviews of the books they enjoy
• Recommend books to friends and classmates
• Explore a genre or author they have never tried before
For younger readers, activities such as drawing their favourite character, creating a new book cover, or sharing a favourite story can make reading feel more creative and interactive.
A simple challenge can help children see reading as something enjoyable to look forward to during the holidays.
2) Nelson Mandela International Day: Celebrating Stories That Inspire Change (18 July)
Stories have the power to teach children about kindness, courage, and understanding. Nelson Mandela International Day is a great opportunity to highlight books that encourage empathy and show the importance of helping others.
Libraries could create a display featuring inspiring characters, real-life heroes, or stories about overcoming challenges.
Activity ideas include:
• Creating a “Kindness Wall” where pupils share positive messages
• Asking children to recommend a book that taught them something important
• Exploring stories from different cultures and backgrounds
• Encouraging pupils to write about how they can make a difference in their community
Reading stories with meaningful messages helps children develop their imagination while understanding the world around them.
3) World Chess Day: Encouraging Creativity and Problem-Solving (20 July)
Chess is a great way to encourage strategic thinking, patience, and problem-solving skills. Celebrated on 20 July, World Chess Day recognises the value of chess as an activity that brings people together and supports learning.
Libraries can bring the theme to life by:
• Creating a display featuring chess, puzzles, strategy, and adventure books
• Hosting a friendly chess challenge for pupils
• Sharing stories about famous chess players
• Creating chess-inspired puzzles or activities
Combining books with games can help children develop new skills while discovering different types of learning resources.
4) International Day of Friendship: Connecting Through Books (30 July)
Books can help children explore friendships, teamwork, and relationships. International Day of Friendship is a great opportunity to celebrate stories that show the importance of supporting and understanding others.
Libraries could create a friendship-themed display featuring stories about:
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Overcoming differences
• Strong friendships and adventures
• Characters who support each other
Encourage pupils to share a favourite book with a friend or create a “book recommendation for someone special” activity.
Sharing stories together can help children connect with each other and discover books they may not have chosen themselves.
Making Summer Reading Easier with 247lib.com and Hedgehog
Helping children discover books is easier when they can quickly find stories that interest them. This is where a library management system can help.
247lib.com is a complete library management system that helps schools manage their collections, track borrowing, and make resources easier for pupils and staff to access.
Hedgehog is an affordable, pupil-focused library system designed to make finding and exploring books simple and engaging, helping children discover new reads and develop independent reading habits.
While both systems support school libraries, 247lib.com focuses on comprehensive library management, offering powerful tools to manage resources and library operations, whereas Hedgehog focuses on creating an engaging experience for pupils, making it easier for children to explore books and enjoy reading.
Whether you are running a summer reading challenge, creating book recommendations, or encouraging pupils to explore new genres, the right library system can help make reading more accessible and engaging.
Visit www.247lib.com to learn more or get in touch with our team for a friendly chat about how we can support your library.
