Partially inspired by the success of supermarket "trading card" promotions, Clutha District Libraries is rewarding participants in its summer reading programme this year with custom-made "Clutha Legends" cards.
Council head of libraries and visitor information Debbie Duncan said the idea was a joint effort from the libraries’ younger staff and had led to a higher-than-usual level of completion of the seasonal reading challenge.
"There are over 236 children already signed up, and more joining each day. The goal is to collect 10 trading cards, earning these through reading books and completing other tasks. There are also two bonus rare cards to collect. Once they collect their 10 cards, they receive a book prize, kindly sponsored by Lawrence Lions Club, Inner Wheel and Balclutha Rotary."
Balclutha Library customer experience officer Renee MacPherson said she had designed the cards using online tools to produce a professional finish.
"They’ve been massively popular, and we’ve had kids trading them and coming to the libraries at opening time to get their reading in, and collect as many as they can."
The challenge ended yesterday.
Ms Duncan said the cards had even attracted professional attention.
"A man from Invercargill who runs a comic shop and is also a card collector said he was very impressed with the cards, and that we should send them to the US to get them appraised."
Despite their success, the library would not necessarily repeat the exercise next year, Miss MacPherson said.
"We might try and come up with something new again, so watch this space."
