Police Dog Snoopy visited The Harvey Briggs Onchan Library to help launch a fun project which aims to encourage children to read more. Over the next few months children will be using their detective skills to solve puzzles as part of the ‘Animal Agents’ project which is this year’s national Summer Reading Challenge produced by The Reading Agency and delivered by libraries. The Harvey Briggs Onchan Library is supporting the challenge, aided by sponsorship from Old Mutual International for the 12th successive year.

The Animal Agents books, illustrated by Tony Ross, feature a detective agency staffed by all kinds of clever animals who need eagle-eyed children to help them by reading books and finding clues to solve mysteries. Children receive an Animal Agents folder, and as they read their library books they collect stickers to help them crack the case. Thanks to Old Mutual International they also collect goodies along the way such as Animal Agents key rings, book bags and a medal for completing the challenge. The sponsors have also provided prizes for all the fun competitions.

PC Dave Cubbon and PC Saskia Baxter, and Police Dog Snoopy, visited the library to talk to children about how real-life crime fighters track down criminals – and they gave a demonstration of how Snoopy uses his special skills to sniff out contraband. Children presented the officers with some chocolate treats - and some canine treats for Snoopy - as a thank you for their visit.

For information about the Summer Reading Challenge please visit www.onchan.org.im or check out the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/onchanlibrary – or contact librarian Pam Hand by emailing onchan.library@onchan.org.im. 

Photo - At The Harvey Briggs Onchan Library are (back row left to right) librarian Pam Hand; Wendy Ranft-Gerber, Communications Business Partner, Old Mutual International; James Cherry, Lead Member for Properties & Amenities, Onchan District Commissioners; and Michael Morrison, CEO of Onchan District Commissioners. At the front are PC Dave Cubbon and PC Saskia Baxter with Police Dog Snoopy. Three of the children taking part in the reading challenge are (left to right) Malane Bradley, Nathan Dalton-Baker, and Penny Lavery.