Read, Write, Count and Libraries – A Story of Lifelong Friendship for Book Week Scotland

Category: Blog, News, Professional Development

by Maggie Still, Scottish Book Trust

It’s not often you get to do a job that people are impressed and amazed by.  I have been managing the Read, Write, Count bag gifting programme this year and it has been one of the most fulfilling jobs I have ever done, even after twenty-nine years teaching.

In Scotland by the time a child is eight they will have been gifted fifteen books through book gifting programmes administered by Scottish Book Trust, from birth, Bookbug to Read, Write Count. The programmes are supported by the Scottish Government and their impact is clearly shown in our research.

RWC gifts bags go to all Primary 2 and Primary 3 children in Scotland. The aims include raising attainment and closing the attainment gap; providing the opportunity to build relationships with parents, strengthen links between home and school and support lifelong learning. Support from teachers and other practitioners, such as library staff and family/community learning is vital to the continued success of the project.

Read, Write, Count has been gifting books to children in P2 and P3 for seven years. That’s around 1,680,000 books in Scottish homes. The books aren’t gifted in isolation, they come supported by a variety of materials and resources on Scottish Book Trust website and partner agencies who also produce supporting materials.

We encourage schools to work with their local libraries and the opportunity remains for schools and libraries to work together with Read, Write, Count.

Our research into the programme shows that over a quarter of the schools who responded encouraged their children to join the local library.

One quote to smile at …

‘As a result of our trip to the library, we now have 12 more P3 children with a library membership!’ (Learning professional)

Here’s a wonderful quote from a young parent that represents the importance of book gifting to lifelong learning.

‘I usually hate reading. But being given the books it has encouraged me to do it more for myself and my baby.’ 

Possibly my favourite statistic is…

‘83% of parents/carers believe that Bookbug and Read, Write, Count have started their child on a journey to becoming a lifelong reader.’ 

As Book Week Scotland approaches, we dream of libraries and schools arranging a date with their local schools.

Schools invite parents to join them in the library where they meet up with the children, share their love of books, share a story, reminisce about their favourite books from childhood and get all warm and fuzzy over the thought of books.

The librarian gifts the books to the children to have and to keep. The family now know and love the library so return again and again.

These photos from Gateside Primary & Beith Library​ Partnership event shows the children enjoying hearing the story and taking part in an art activity as part of a gifting event:

We are creating new resources this year for libraries that will be on our website soon. There will be session ideas, adaptable posters and linked songs and rhyme suggestions for the books. They are designed to make it easy for libraries to plan their own events to support Read, Write, Count.

As Book Week Scotland approaches, contact your local schools and offer to support them in the gifting of Read, Write, Count. If they can’t come to you – go to them, make a fuss and celebrate the gifting of the book bags together. This could be the start of a lifelong journey.

This year’s bags:

Join the celebration and get involved with Read, Write, Count this year!