This summer the Henry Bloom Noble Library will be on a mission – a space mission – when it launches Space Chase, this year’s Summer Reading Challenge inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first humans landing on the moon.

Space Chase gives children the opportunity to be part of a galactic mission and follow the adventures of satellite space station dwellers the Rockets family as they solve the mystery of books being stolen by a band of aliens.

To take part, young readers register for the challenge at the library and over the summer are asked to borrow and read any six library books. ‘Space Chasers’ then receive a mission folder and book bag and collect stickers and incentives on their journey to find the aliens – and the missing books – and complete the challenge.

Over the summer the library will be hosting Space Chase workshops and talks from guest speakers Howard Parkin, chairman of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society and Dawn Dickens from the Manx Wildlife Trust.

Children who complete the challenge will be invited to an awards ceremony at the end of September when His Worship the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Jonathan Joughin JP and the Mayoress, Mrs Angela Joughin, will present the certificates, medals and prizes.

Borough Librarian Jan Macartney said: ‘This year we’re reaching out to “the final frontier” with what promises to be a fabulous futuristic experience for young readers. This will be the 13th year the library has supported the Summer Reading Challenge and every year I’m so impressed by young readers’ enthusiasm and appetite for reading. I’d urge children to register as soon as they can if they want to “bag a book bag” and set off on their galactic gallivanting.’

Regeneration and Community Committee Chair Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘The popularity of the Summer Reading Challenge demonstrates the vital community and educational role played by the Henry Bloom Noble Library, membership of which is now free. Jan and her team work tirelessly to deliver a whole series of action-packed workshop sessions which, while great fun, are also educational and inspire children to discover the pleasure of books.’

Space Chase registration launches at the library on Saturday July 13 at 9am and runs through to Saturday September 7.

Registration is free and tickets for the workshops, priced £2 per child per session and on sale at the library counter, are only available to children signed up for the challenge.

To find out more call 696461 or email the library. To keep up to date with library news follow HBNLibrary on Facebook.