TIME TO READ

Cheshire Readers and Writers

Photo: Holmes Chapel Library, Cheshire, which received a "Commended" award in "Civic Building of the year 2007. Credit: Cheshire County Council.

Readers

Cheshire Libraries supports community-based reading groups with its designated Reading Group Collection. There are currently nine library-based groups open to adult readers and four junior groups, as well as links to sixth form and staff groups at local schools and colleges, and a growing number of more informal Reader Recommends drop-in groups offering coffee and book chat in the library.

Regular rhymetime sessions take place at larger libraries to attract the youngest readers, and the Audience Development group is planning a programme of events for 2007 to appeal to teenagers, while the Fully Booked project provides resources for reading activities to be set up in older people's day and community support centres in the county. Cheshire Libraries, working in partnership with the WRVS and Museum Service, are planning a pilot project to record the oral histories of its housebound readers later this year.

Writers

There are a number of library-based writers groups and a regular programme of poetry workshops throughout the year as part of the Cheshire Poet Laureate scheme. On World Book Day the council publishes an original collection of verse to mark the outgoing poet's year in office.

Events

Cheshire Libraries seeks to to promote a positive image of the service and attract new users through a regular programme of arts events. Recent library events include:

• Get it Loud in Libraries live music event for Mr Hudson and the Library
• Guest piglet and craft sessions for half-term release of Charlotte's Web
• Pure Passion evening with romantic writers Penny Jordan and India Grey
• Love v Lust, Commonword's spoken word tour at Styal Prison reading group

Cheshire Libraries now supports its own web pages for readers and writers

www.cheshire.gov.uk

For more information on Cheshire libraries visit
www.cheshire.gov.uk or contact:
Sheila Houldin
Reader Development Officer
Cheshire Arts Service
Goldsmith House
Hamilton Place
Chester
CH1 1SE
tel: 01244 972 898
email: Sheila.Houldin@cheshire.gov.uk

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For further information, comments or suggestions, please contact Jane Mathieson, the Regional Reader Development Co-ordinator, NW on 0161 236 4451 or Email - nwreader@libraries.manchester.gov.uk

Librarians in the North West have pioneered partnership working to encourage new readers into libraries. Time To Read is a partnership of librarians, literature development workers and other organisations engaged in reader development activity in public library authorities in the North West Region. All 22 public library authorities in the region are involved.

Time To Read currently has a full time paid co-ordinator, supported by Arts Coucil of England and Museums, Libraries and Archives, North West.

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