The quest continues – Suffolk’s biggest literacy campaign is returning

By James Powell | July 4, 2025

Suffolk Community Libraries is delighted to announce the return of Reading Quest for Summer 2025.

Reading Quest is a chance for families and children across the whole county to get involved in a fun and FREE summer reading programme which is open to all ages and all reading abilities.

Reading Quest will be running during the summer school holidays with the aim of engaging and encouraging children to keep reading for fun during the summer.

It’s a time when reading and literacy levels can dip but by making reading fun with a colourful range of resources, prizes and incentives, Suffolk Community Libraries is aiming to ensure children carry on reading, so they’re not disadvantaged when they return to school.

‍Children can sign up for Reading Quest at any library from Saturday 19 July. They’ll get a reading passport which has space for tracking books children have read, as well as stickers and activities families can complete together. For more information please visit our Reading Quest information page.

Children are encouraged to take part in activities and experiences across the summer rather than read an expected number of books. There are plenty of ideas and challenges to choose from with the aim of inspiring families to actively engage with reading for pleasure together.

Erin Hamilton, Suffolk Community Libraries Children’s Librarian, said:

“Research has proven that campaigns like this, and regular library visits, can really make a difference to children’s literacy levels. It’s also a great way of engaging families in the programme of summer activities across Suffolk’s 45 libraries with thousands of new children’s library cards handed out every summer. Plus of course getting a library card is free and easy to do!”

Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality said:

“I’m delighted to see Reading Quest return this summer. The project, encouraging children to read for pleasure, supports Suffolk County Council’s wider commitment to improving literacy and giving every child the best start in life. Campaigns like this make reading fun and accessible for all families and show the vital role our libraries play in supporting learning and wellbeing across our communities.”

‍Reading Quest will run during the summer holidays and will formally finish on 31 August. Children can take part at any time during the school holidays and can take books away with them to read so it won’t get in the way of your holiday!

Children can bring their passports back to the library to stamp each completed activity and share what they’ve read. There will also be activities to complete in the library as well as rewards to collect.

Volunteers will still play a big part in supporting library staff to run Reading Quest by spending time listening to children talking about their quest. Whilst there isn’t the time and space to speak to a volunteer on the mobile libraries, families can still use the mobiles to borrow books over the summer.