A Summer Reading Program created by Public Libraries Victoria.

Research has identified a phenomenon known as the ‘summer slide’, which refers to the loss of literacy skills over the summer holidays when many children stop reading - estimated on average as the equivalent of two to three months of reading proficiency. Loss of reading proficiency is most acute in children from economically disadvantaged communities.

Public libraries are in a unique and advantageous position to address the summer slide; studies have found that children who receive and read free books over summer experience the equivalent of attending three years of summer school, with the most economically disadvantaged children gaining the most from such initiatives.

The program is now open for pre-registration, and books can be logged from Sunday 1 December 2024.

Pre-registration is where kids can register online here.

The Big Summer Read finishes on Friday 31 January 2025.  

It's as simple as: Join. Borrow. Read. Log. Win! 

Three simple steps to join the fun

1. Be a Mornington Peninsula Libraires member. If you don’t have a membership card that’s ok! You can become a member at any time. Visit us in branch, or sign up online here
2. Join the BIG Summer Read challenge by registering online or filling out a paper log (pick up in branch)
3. Read and log ten or more books for the chance to win!

How to log your reading

• You can log your reading through the official website. Log a minimum of 10 books to be eligible to enter the statewide draw. 
• Prefer paper? Grab a reading log from your local library branch. When you have written down 10 books, return your log to library staff. The more you read the more entries you have into the Mornington Peninsula Libraries prize draw. (please note, paper tracking will only be eligible for local prizes, not the state-wide draw.

All children between the ages of 0-18 are welcome to participate.

Independent and non-independent readers can log any book they read – you can read to yourself, out loud, listen to an audio book or listen as someone reads to you!

Bonus - all types of books count including physical books, audiobooks, eBooks, graphic novels, comics and manga. 

For every 10 books you log, you will automatically go in the state-wide draw for your chance to win some fabulous prizes! (TBC)

In addition to the state-wide prizes offered by Public Libraries Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Libraries have had some amazing prizes generously donated by local businesses including:

• Ashcombe Maze Family Pass 
• Boneo Discovery Park Family Passes 
• Crib Point Family Swim Passes
• YAWA Children Swim Passes
• Book Bundles

Visit us in branch and show us you have logged at least 10 books to pick up a free library bag and a lucky dip prize! 

• The Big Summer Read (BSR) competition opens on 1 December 2024 9.00am until 31 January 2025 at 5pm.

•  Library members participating in the BIG Summer Read must be under the age of 18, reside in Victoria and must be able to collect their prize from a Mornington Peninsula Libraries’ location.

• All prize winners will be notified by 28 February 2025.

• To be eligible for BSR prize draw, each entrant must:

  • Register for the Big Summer Read on Readbooks via https://vic.readbooks.com.au/
  • Read or listen to a minimum of 10 books and log them using the Readbooks website between 1 December 2024 and 31 January 2025.
  • Not be an immediate family member of Mornington Peninsula Libraires staff member or Councillor.

• Winners will be drawn at random from all eligible entries for the Big Summer Read 2024/2025 program.
• By registering a child for the Big Summer Read on Readbooks, a parent/guardian indicates they accept these Terms and Conditions, and give permission for the entry.

• Prizes will not be awarded to anyone who does not meet the eligibility criteria.