Islington to be the booklover’s borough with special programme of events and giveaways

Islington is gearing up for a week of events to celebrate reading – including free book vouchers for children, Big Book Swaps, and the announcement of this year’s ‘Teen Read Vote’.

 

The programme is being promoted by Islington Council as part of ‘Islington Reads Week’ next week - which includes World Book Day on Thursday 3 March.

 

On World Book Day children who attend one of the libraries’ baby bounce or under-fives' reading sessions will each receive a £1 voucher, which they can spend on a special £1 World Book Day title or put towards the cost of a book of their own choice. 

 

Islington Reads ‘Big Book Swap’ is set to take place across dozens of local venues – including town centres, cafes, parks, schools, learning and children’s centres, and the Free Word Centre.

 

Islington Council will be promoting ‘Reading Well’, a national campaign that promotes reading as a means to better health and wellbeing, as well as the ‘Carers’ Collection’, in conjunction with Islington Carers’ Hub, for local people who look after others.    

 

Residents can also sign up to ‘Reading Ahead (Six Book Challenge)’. This reading programme, which is a partnership between the council’s libraries and City and Islington College, has seen a significant increase in adults taking part and completing it over the past two years.

 

The favourite book of Islington’s young people will be announced, as the winner of the Islington Teen Read Vote 2016 is revealed at an exclusive event at Waterstones, Islington Green, on Tuesday 1 March. 

 

Detainees at Tolpuddle Street Police Station in Islington will be able to access a rich range of reading materials – from popular fiction to graphic novels – as a result of a ‘Books in Cells’ initiative, run by Islington Council’s libraries and the local police. 

 

The books are provided by the libraries service and are free for detainees, some of whom can be in custody for extended periods, to take away when they leave. The project has seen almost 200 books be taken away so far – a clear indication of the success of the scheme. 

 

Islington Council’s executive member for economic and community development, Cllr Asima Shaikh, said: “Islington Reads Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the joys of reading and the worlds of knowledge, information, and adventure that books can unlock for people of all ages.

 

“With such a fantastic programme of events, competitions, and giveaways going on, Islington has to be the London borough for booklovers. 

 

“As a community, there’s always more we can do to promote access to books and encourage each other to take up one of life’s great joys – reading.”