Library aims to keep kids reading over summer

Published on 05 December 2025

The Mansfield Library’s Big Summer Read, a program aimed at encouraging young readers to visit Mansfield Library and keep reading during the summer holidays, is set to run from 1 December 2025 to 23 January 2026.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie wants to see the children of Mansfield Shire with a book in their hand this summer.

“Reading year-round has its benefits, reading over the holidays can maintain a child’s literacy level,” he said.

“We want to do all we can to reduce the summer slide - the loss of literacy skills that can occur when children stop reading over the holidays.

“The Big Summer Read is free to join for readers aged between 5-18, making reading accessible for all families and there are some terrific prizes to be won including 5 x $100 gift vouchers for the Mansfield Armchair Cinema.”

Participants are encouraged to visit the Library and borrow books of every kind including story books, information books, audiobooks and graphic novels. As they read, participants fill out Reading Records, one for every five days they read or for every five books completed. Incentive prizes are received for every Reading Record submitted as well as entry into the major prize draw.

Entry forms are available from all primary schools in the Mansfield Shire and from Mansfield Library.

All prizes have been donated by the wonderful Friends of Mansfield Library.

Reading logs must be returned no later than Friday 23 January to be in the running for the main prizes. The prize drawer winners will be contacted on Saturday 24 January, and announced shortly after on the Library’s Facebook page Mansfield Library Victoria.

For more information drop into the Library on Collopy Street, call 5775 8621 or email library@mansfield.vic.gov.au.