Boys, Blokes, Books and Bytes, a term-three program, has wrapped up for a third year with more than 50 boys pairing up with a mentor – dad, uncle, grandpa or older brother – for weekly after-hours workshops exploring written text and, importantly, libraries.

They are already wanting more next year.

The initiative, which started from a brainstorming session with Ballarat City Library, has attracted interest from other schools and community groups for its methods and proven success in raising middle years literacy.

Author visits, free books, movie outings and, this year, a trip to the State Library of Victoria and Melbourne Museum were among extras offered free to the boys this year.

Delacombe principal Nadia Bettio  said her staff and the Ballarat library are constantly creating new ideas to keep students involved.

“It keeps getting bigger and better every year. It just started from an idea we had working with the Ballarat City Library and some boys have done the program all three years,” Ms Bettio said.

A $15,000 NAB Schools First funding injection has helped take pressure off submissions and will allow the school to do more with their community sponsorships.