Latchingdon pupils use Essex outreach bus library service

The Essex mobile library’s outreach bus visited Latchingdon pupils as part of the Essex Year of Reading.

The aim was to inspire pupils at the Latchingdon Primary School to discover a lifelong love of reading.

The campaign is part of a new outreach library service for Essex schools.

Essex education task force launched the one-million-pound campaign, funded by Essex County Council, to support children whose education was affected by the pandemic.

All Essex pupils were given a free library card earlier this year as part of the campaign.

The outreach bus had a wide range of books and activated pupils' library cards.

The service lends books to children which can be returned to the bus or any library in Essex.

Victoria Peacock, deputy headteacher of Latchingdon Primary School said: “It was wonderful to have the library outreach service visiting our school.

“Many of our children live in remote areas and never have the opportunity to visit a library, they were so excited to see the vast range of books available to them.

“This will really help to foster a passion for reading and support all of the work that we are doing at school.”

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The council hope that the outreach bus service can support children who are unable to access a library outside of school.

Louise McKinlay, Essex County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: "Our Essex Libraries provide a valuable service to communities.

"We believe that libraries are for everyone and no matter where you are in the county, you should be able to access them.

“Reading is a vital skill and with our mobile libraries and outreach bus, we can make sure that every child and young person has access to this important service and can benefit from the opportunities that come with being able to read well.”

Find out what your local library has on offer at libraries.essex.gov.uk/.