News and press releases
Celebrate World Book Night In South Tyneside
Press release
A fines amnesty, e-book lending launch and book giveaways are just some of the exciting things South Tyneside libraries have lined up to celebrate international World Book Night.
In its second year, World Book Night (Monday 23rd April) is a world-wide event which aims to celebrate reading while encouraging the public to either take up reading or, if already an avid reader, to try something different.
Following the success of a one day fines amnesty held earlier this year on National Libraries Day, local libraries are encouraging people once again to take up the opportunity to have their outstanding fees waivered.
During the week-long event, running from Monday 23rd to Saturday 28th April, libraries will 'write off' all fines and charges relating to items which are more than three months overdue (items due for return on or before 31st December 2011).
The Libraries Service is also formally launching its new South Tyneside Digital Library, e-book lending service. Funding has been secured from the Sir James Knott Trust to buy wireless Kobo e-readers, which are being used to help train front-line library staff so they can assist library users in lending e-books.
Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Iain Malcolm said: "We are very proud to be supporting this international event in our libraries and look forward to welcoming people to join us in the celebrations.
"We are always looking to attract more people to use our libraries and develop a love of reading books.
"In addition to launching an exciting new e-book lending service, we are offering to wipe the slate clean for those people with books that are more than three months overdue. We hope that this will encourage people who stopped using their local libraries some time ago to return to full library membership and take up services once again."
Fans of crime fiction are also in for a treat on World Book Night as Central Library in South Shields hosts a talk with a panel of crime novelists. Authors Zoe Sharp, Matt Hilton and Graham Pears will be in the Library Theatre on Monday 23rd April for the talk starting at 7pm. Tickets cost £1 each and are available from the Library Reception Desk on (0191) 424 7863.
A team of World Book Night Givers will also be offering free books to members of the public throughout the day. The free titles include 'The Book Thief', 'Touching the Void', 'I Capture the Castle' and 'The Time Travellers Wife'.
Early years children will also enjoy a series of Bedtime Stories and Pyjama Parties taking place at libraries across the Borough.
Councillor Malcolm added: "World Book Night is a fantastic opportunity for people to get reading and share their loves of books with others. We have an excellent programme of events and activities taking place at our libraries with something to suit all ages. We hope that readers, old and new, will join us to mark this occasion."
For further information about World Book Night events in South Tyneside Council, contact Kathryn Armstrong, Libraries Development Officer, on (0191) 424 7884.
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