August Library Ideas: Keeping Children Reading Throughout the Summer
The school year has finished and it is time to reflect on activities which can be used to encourage reading, fun and learning.
Throughout August
- National Year of Reading 2026
Encourage children to keep reading over the summer holidays with reading passports, book reviews, library scavanger hunts and family reading challenges.
- Summer Reading Challenge – Read to the Beat (until September)
Encourage children to complete the challenge by reading books liked to music, rhythm and creativity. Host music-themed story times, create “guess the song” book displays or invite children to design an album cover for their favourite book.
August Key Dates
5 August – National Playday
- Organise library games, book-themed treasure hunts, LEGO building challenges and outdoor storytelling sessions.
9 August – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
- Create displays celebrating indigenous authors and cultures. Encourage pupils to explore traditional stories from around the world.
Summer Holiday Activities
- Reading bingo ( and may be win a prize!)
- Blind date with a book
- Design a bookmark competition
- Library passport challenge
- Reading picnics
- Comic book creation workshop
- Story writing competition
- Create a reading playlist inspired by books.
Library Upgrades – Do it now before term starts!
The summer is a great time to upgrade school and college libraries. It is the best time for replacing the old library software with a solution which is more labour-saving and affordable. Some library software is extremely good value, but beware very low cost solutions, which are labour-intensive.
Cataloguing is time-consuming but can be automated with a quick scan of the ISBN number, so you do not have to do any typing.
Self-service modules in secondary schools are usually free and stop queues at busy periods.
Online portals for pupils and parents with free colourful book covers entice more reading and allow pupils to review what they have read and ‘like’ items which look interesting.
Upgrade to 247lib.com or 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.
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