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Readers for Life 2

Readers for Life 2, managed by Time to Read, is a strategy that involves libraries in the North West region working across local authority boundaries. Time to Read is a partnership of librarians, literature development workers and other organisations who are engaged in reader development activity in North West public library authorities. All 23 public library authorities in the region are involved.

Readers for Life 1 aimed to act as a framework for local reader development activity. Reader Development covers a wide range of activities, but the broad aims are to:

• increase people's confidence and enjoyment in reading
• open up reading choices
• offer opportunities for people to share their reading experiences and  
• raise the status of reading as a creative activity.

Readers for Life 2, the updated strategy, demonstrates more specifically how reading fits with local authority priority agendas. Strong links with national indicators were established from the beginning of the second iteration of Readers for Life. In particular, importance was placed upon the contribution reading makes to: raising standards in schools; improving quality of life; promoting healthier communities; creating safer and stronger communities; and promoting the economic vitality of communities and the use of public libraries. A short set of actions has been agreed by Chief Librarians, which all authorities will work towards over three years.

Whilst Readers for Life 2 activity is delivered locally, the value of Time To Read in supporting the activity remains significant. Time To Read is concerned with: advocacy; networking; training and professional development; consultation and sharing best practice, as well as fundraising and coordination of regional initiatives.

The strategy monitored by Time To Read is designed to provide a framework of activity for local reader development practitioners. In many instances it assists with the structuring of local strategies and action plans. One local authority librarian said, “For me Time To Read represents both direct and indirect support, and is one of the most enabling “tools” available to me to help me carry out my job. The TTR network provides a regional strategic framework for local reader development activity.”

The links to national performance indicators in 2008 were requested by several local practitioners as a requirement from local senior management teams. It is also increasingly necessary to plan and evaluate the impact of reader development activity more thoroughly, in order to ensure that there are measurable outcomes for library users. By doing this, Readers for Life 2 places the libraries involved in a stronger position to advocate for their services within the council . Evidence of their contributions will also strengthen as the evaluation improves over time.

Although evidence of outcomes can be difficult to collect, its worth is undisputed. Jen Wright from Moor Park Business and Enterprise School in Lancashire said, “Through the targeted Lancashire Book of the Year award scheme we carry out pre and post initiative feedback. This demonstrates increased and improved reading among pupils. Many of the children didn't want it to end and, post SATs, we are now reading a novel together as a class with independent reading for pleasure as well.”

Jane Mathieson, the Regional Reader Development Coordinator agrees that evaluation is critical to the success of Readers for Life 2. “By being more consistent in our evaluation we can make a real difference to securing the place of libraries against delivery of council priorities. Time To Read is currently coordinating training for library staff to raise awareness and understanding of the need for thorough planning and evaluation of all reader development activity, so that outcomes are more measureable.”

Jane Mathieson collects information and evidence about reader development activities from across the North West every 6 months, so new examples are regularly available.

For more information on this case study visit the MLA research website