Summer Reading Challenge - Read To The Beat
Thornbury Library
This year's Summer Reading Challenge starts on 4 July and ends on 12 September.
Open to all primary school aged children, it’s free and fun.
Read any books you like (yes we really mean any books) and collect stickers and rewards.
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge theme is Read to the Beat, inspiring children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
Join at Thornbury library during staffed hours and pick up your free activity bag.
Address: St Mary Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AA
Phone: 01454 868006
Fax: 01454 865657
Email:
Website: www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or www.librarieswest.org.uk
Socials: 
sgloslibraries 
@southgloslibs
Photos kindly supplied by RichMcD Photography.
South Gloucestershire Council’s Library Service is inviting children aged 4 and older to visit Thornbury library and take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026.
This year’s challenge is called ‘Read to the Beat!’ and encourages children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music can spark imagination and creativity.
The free challenge is now underway and runs until 12 September 2026, helping children become more independent readers and build their reading confidence over the school holidays.
It also supports positive mental wellbeing and can help boost self-esteem, while encouraging families to visit their local library.
Children aged four and above can sign up at Thornbury library during staffed opening hours and collect a free activity bag to get started. They then read books of their choice throughout the summer, taking part in fun activities and collecting stickers and rewards along the way.
Children can read in whatever way works best for them. This could include storybooks, fact books, books about their favourite hobbies and interests, comics and graphic novels, or listening to audiobooks.
Participants receive a medal and certificate when they complete it, along with a voucher for a free swim at Thornbury Active Lifestyle Centre, donated by Circadian Trust. The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries.
Dates and times of all activities, and more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, can be found on our website: www.southglos.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge
Rhymes and Stories:
FREE Every Monday (still Rhymetime but with a little story on top) 9.30am-10am (open at 9.30 for Rhymetime only)
Knit, Stitch, and Knatter Group
Every Wednesday 2:30–4pm. All crafters welcome! Come along, meet fellow crafters and get started on that project!
Free Computer Support 1-1:
Book a session with our computer volunteer for IT and digital support every Thursday 10am, 11am or 12noon - Wednesday afternoons starting soon.
Pop in or email to book a space.
Rhymetime:
FREE Every Friday 9.30am-10am (open at 9.30 for Rhymetime only)
“Have You Read…?”
Come and enjoy an open book group with a difference. No set novel to read. Just drop in for an hour on the first Friday of every month 2pm-3pm.
Lego Club:
Create your own LEGO masterpieces and display them in the library for your family and friends to see.
Free every Saturday 9.30-10.30am
Click here to see more events.
If you register your card for our new Open Access System, and attend an induction, you’ll be able to access library facilities any day throughout the week.
You can borrow and return books and use the computers.
Please speak to a member of staff for more details.
Do you, or anyone you know, find it difficult to get to the library for books? If the answer is yes, please contact us to ask about our Home Library Service
as we have volunteers happy to help.
Our free online library is always open 24/7: eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, digital magazines and newspapers continue to be available for library members to download anytime - www.southglos.gov.uk/eresources has all the details.
It now also includes Who Else Writes Like?, and for children, Who Next? where you can find authors who write in a similar way to those you have already enjoyed reading. Simply log in with your library card number and select South Gloucestershire.
If you are not already a library member you can join online at bit.ly/joinLW - membership is free. You will receive an Online Membership number which will work for our digital services right away. Please enter an email address when you register for greater control of your account.
