In Massa Marittima, the reading competition aimed at children aged 7 to 12 promoted by the municipal library in collaboration with the Matozzi bookshop entitled “The reader of the summer” begins tomorrow 17 June. Throughout the summer period, until September 30th, children and young people who go to the municipal library will find a carefully curated selection of quality books from the best authors of contemporary children’s literature waiting for them. Every time a reader borrows a book, or buys it from the Matozzi stationery bookshop that participates in the initiative, he will receive a special bookmark on which he can leave his emotions imprinted. The bookmark must then be delivered to the library, becoming the link in a paper chain, which will remain hanging in the adult room. At the end of September the chains will be untied and the rings will be counted: for the most “greedy” readers, who have brought the most bookmarks, there will be rich prizes up for grabs. This initiative, promoted by the municipal library of Massa Marittima and the Promocultura cooperative which manages the library services, is the result of intense work carried out together with the city’s schools. The Municipality of Massa Marittima has, in fact, financed the educational offer organized by the cooperative for the school year that has just ended, thanks to which 23 classes, for a total of over 500 children, were able to enjoy free educational modules aimed at promoting of reading in different age groups. “For some time now the Municipality of Massa Marittima has been distinguishing itself in the promotion of cultural initiatives aimed at children – says mayor Irene Marconi – from the reading competition to the Chosen by us competition. We continue with conviction on this path which is giving us important results, stimulating the little ones to discover the pleasure of reading, which is fundamental for their cognitive and linguistic development. Reading is not only a pleasant activity but an investment in the future.”. Thanks to the positive and growing data on attendance and the circulation of material in the space of the municipal library dedicated to children, the reading room will not be closed this summer and the 0-13 space will also remain open for two days a week (Tuesday and Friday from 4.00pm to 8.00pm) from 17 June to 15 September, closing only for the month of August, during which a selection of quality books will still be guaranteed in the reading room.
