Crestline
Friends of the Library

Fund a week of summer reading prizes

Community libraries can turn a small sponsorship into a lively summer reading habit. Funding a week of summer reading prizes gives children and teenagers a reason to finish a book, visit a branch and share what they have read, while giving local supporters a visible way to encourage literacy.

For Australian organisers, the school holidays are the natural window: dates differ across states, but families in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin often use libraries for holiday activities. A prize funded during that period can become a tradition that children return to each year.

Set a simple and measurable reading goal

Start with one clear goal, such as reading for twenty minutes a day for five days, logging a chapter, or visiting a library three times. Keep the challenge achievable for different ages and abilities, and explain in one sentence what the sponsor will pay for and how children can enter.

Track success with simple measures: completed reading logs, numbers of prizes awarded, repeat visits and feedback from families. A practical example is the library literacy outcomes shared by Crestline Friends of the Library, which shows how a structured programme can support literacy without losing the fun.

Choose rewards that invite more reading

The strongest rewards encourage another book rather than simply offering a larger prize. Consider bookmarks, badges, pencils, stickers, recipe cards or craft kits, alongside book vouchers for children and teenagers. A small, age-sensitive selection lets every participant feel included without allowing costs to spiral.

Australian families often pair a library visit with a café, independent bookshop or newsagent trip, so prizes from local businesses can fit neatly into familiar routines. Ask partners to supply vouchers or donate a title that matches the reading theme; this spreads the cost and keeps the reward connected to reading.

Build a budget that feels fair

A one-week prize pool needs a clear ceiling and a simple breakdown. Itemise prizes, printing, postage, staff time and a small contingency. If the goal is 100 prizes, calculate the unit cost, confirm quantities and leave room for extra participants. Present the plan in Australian dollars and state whether GST is included or excluded.

Donations, sponsorship and prize purchases can have different tax and accounting treatment, so ask an eligible community organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient status to confirm what can be receipted. For Australian examples and contacts, Tass Cubo resources can help organisers find community-sector information. Keep the final budget transparent to donors.

Practical ways to build a local partnership

Approach businesses that already reach families: bookshops, toy stores, cafés, supermarkets, youth groups and employers with school-age staff. A small named contribution often works better than asking for a large sum; businesses can sponsor a prize tier, a reading day or the cost of certificates. The Friends group’s membership list, newsletter and meetings can help identify supporters, while directories such as Northwest community connections may reveal other groups interested in literacy.

  • Offer a clear sponsorship tier with prize quantities, dates and a fixed dollar amount.
  • Match each tier to a reward so donors understand the benefit.
  • Invite partners to donate vouchers, books or supplies rather than cash alone.
  • Give sponsors a visible thank-you without requiring children to meet a sales target.
  • Record commitments before ordering and send a simple update after the event.

A sponsor that buys 50 bookmarks can see exactly how its support was used, while a café can offer a reading-night voucher that families may use on a weekend. These contributions feel relevant to the business and meaningful to the library.

Keep the programme safe and inclusive

Set rules that protect children and make participation fair. Ask for consent before using a child’s name or photograph, keep prize records private, and offer alternatives for children who cannot read a certain number of pages or attend a branch. Clear age bands and accessible activities help prevent a reading challenge from becoming a public ranking.

Australian privacy duties, including the Privacy Act 1988 where applicable, should shape how participant details are collected and stored. State and territory child-safety requirements may also affect volunteers working directly with children, so confirm screening, supervision and image permissions with the library. If entries depend on chance or purchase, check state and territory promotion rules and the Australian Consumer Law before advertising.

Launch, measure and share the result

Begin publicity with a reading poster, library announcement and a message to families through schools, community groups and local media. On the final day, celebrate completions with a display, short reading ceremony or photograph of the prize shelf. Share totals with sponsors, publish only non-identifying information and thank volunteers for their contribution.

Choose a budget, nominate a community partner and contact Friends of the Library to discuss dates, prize quantities and acknowledgement. Sponsor one week this summer and help every child feel celebrated for reading.