World Book Night was celebrated on Thursday as hundreds of people across the borough were handed free books.
From commuters on Northern Rail trains and members of Demesne Community Centre luncheon club to a Community Health Fair at Bowlee Sports Centre, library staff gave out hundreds of free books to brighten up people’s days and open their minds to the joys of a good read.
Volunteers from Rochdale Borough Council’s library service handed out books to people travelling on trains between Rochdale and Todmorden. More than 130 books were given out and were well received by surprised passengers.
At Touchstones Arts and Heritage Centre, the multi award winning playwright Michael Stewart took part in a thoroughly entertaining ‘An Evening With’ event, talking about his latest novel Cafe Assassin, discussing its themes of friendship, betrayal and crime.
World Book Night is an annual celebration of reading and books that sees volunteers give out hundreds of thousands of books in their communities to share their love of reading with people who don’t read regularly or own books.
The events were arranged by Rochdale Central Library in conjunction with The Reading Agency, a national charity that inspires people to become confident and enthusiastic readers.
Young Persons’ Library Worker, Ray Stearn said:
“The most rewarding part for me was walking back down through the railway carriages and seeing the previously rather bored-looking commuters getting stuck into their new books!”
Library staff in Middleton area also got involved by taking books to Demesne Community Centre and Bowlee Sports Centre.
Tracey Byrne, Senior Library and Information Assistant at Alkrington Library said:
“We received a really positive response from the people attending the luncheon club at Demesne. They were celebrating St George’s Day, so to receive a free gift in the form of a good book was an extra surprise.”
Gemma Bickerstaff, Health in Communities Co-ordinator gave out free books at the Community Health Fair.
“Even a few minutes reading reduces stress levels so it was lovely to be able to hand people a free book for them to keep or pass on. Some of this year’s World Book Night titles are on a list called Mood Boosting Books, which have been recommended by other readers as feel-good titles.”
Books handed out across the borough included ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ by Rachel Joyce, ‘Assassin’s Apprentice’ by Robin Hobb and ‘Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death’. A poetry anthology and authors such as Lynda La Plante and Elif Shafak were also amongst the book giveaways.
To find your local library visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries. For more on World Book Night visitwww.worldbooknight.org
27 Apr 2015