Out of 34 libraries in Glasgow, Pollok was 3rd in the Big Wild Read challenge during the school holidays thanks to the 50 children who read an amazing 813 books in six weeks.

They were duly recognised at an awards event in the Wedge building where the library is currently located until the new Pollok library is built.

Councillor Alex Glass presented the awards and Westminster MP Ian Davidson presented his special ‘Dedicated Reader’ gifts.

Mark McDaid (7) won the ‘Best Effort’ category with 24 books to his credit. ‘I really like reading,’ he told the LOCAL NEWS candidly. ‘It is fun getting different books.’

Chantelle Birrell was the Under-8 winner with 27 books devoured during the holidays and Siobhan McConalogue (12) took the prize for the Over-8 category with an amazing 104 books read. ‘I didn’t know I’d won this,’ said the clearly delighted bookworm.

Others who attended on the day to receive their medals and prizes were: Nicole Currie, Omar Amin, Rachael McCann, Reece McCann, Conor McCourt, Katrina McCourt, David McGowan and Caitlin McConalogue.

The MP’s special gift for dedicated readers went to Omar Amin and Chaudhary Neera. Said Ian Davidson, later, ‘I get great pleasure out of reading myself and remember how difficult it was to access books because no one under 11 was allowed to borrow books from the library. I think this scheme is excellent because it not only encourages young people to read, it encourages the parents to participate and to give their support to the children.’ He has set his own reading challenge by reading 8 of the set of 20 sea stories written by Patrick O’Brian.

Christine Stewart, Customer Services Supervisor at Pollok Library and Learning Centre, told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘The Summer Reading Challenge is a national event and the theme this year was ‘environment.’ The aim is to encourage children aged from 5 to 12 to enjoy reading as a leisure pursuit. For every three books the child reads, prizes such as pens, puzzles and stickers are awarded. At the end of the Challenge, every child who has taken part receives a medal and a certificate.’

Added Christine, ‘For Pollok to win third place in the city for the number of books issued through this Challenge, is a reflection of the enthusiasm of the children, their parents and a very good staff team.’
The Glasgow library which came first in the Challenge was Pollokshaws and Ibrox was second with Pollok third.