YOUNG readers taking part in the family library's summer reading scheme will be searching for clues among the chapters this summer.
Chief Inspector Kevin Willson visited the Department of Education and Children’s library in Douglas on Saturday to start children on their challenge – ‘To Catch a Thief’.
Children must read five books and gather 10 clues on their weekly visits to the library through the summer. The trail of evidence will lead them to catch the crook who has stolen Lady Ophelia Dumbell’s priceless ruby necklace.
Gathering a special clue at the end will also gain them entry to a lucky dip draw.
Children who have signed up to the scheme were presented with detective packs, which included warrant cards on which to log clues.
CI Willson said: "I am sure that by the end of the summer we will find out who did it."
Launching the scheme, he quoted former US First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who said: "There are many little ways to enlarge a child’s world. Love of books is the best of all."
He told children: "There is a lot more to life than watching telly and spending your time on the games console."
Mary Cousins, librarian in charge of the family library, said: "This is the fourth year we've created our own summer reading scheme and it seems to be really popular with our members.
"We had a great turnout of children to collect their To Catch a Thief challenge packs and it was wonderful to have MHK Mr Quintin Gill here to support us and to have CI Kevin Willson launch the scheme so brilliantly.
"Children and parents have really enjoyed previous challenges and I think this year we've planned even more fun. We are looking forward to it."
It is not too late for over-fives to register for the challenge. There will also be a summer reading club for younger children.
Staff of the family and mobile libraries attending the launch wore badges proclaiming ‘Mike, It was Magic’ in honour of youth and community adviser and keen magician Mike Clague, who was there on his last official duty.
Mike retires this month after 46 years in education.
Mike described the family library as "one of the Island’s best kept secrets" and said he was confident the scheme – which follows those with pirates, TT and magic themes – would be better than ever. He was given three cheers by the children.
The family library is located in Noble’s Hall, Westmoreland Road. For a £2 annual membership young people can borrow up to six books, three CDs and a DVD and keep them for up to a fortnight.
Parents can join, too, for £5 a year, provided their children are members.
Membership is free to teachers.
For details of opening hours and other information, including updates on this year’s summer reading scheme and galleries of images from previous schemes, visit www.familylibrary.co.uk
http://www.gov.im/education/support/external/external_library.xml
