Cheshire East
Readers
Cheshire East Libraries support community-based reading groups with a designated Reading Group Collection. There are library-based groups open to adult readers at Bollington, Congleton, Handforth, Holmes Chapel and Nantwich libraries. There are teenage and children's groups at Congleton and Macclesfield, 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. We are hoping to expand out Relish bibliotherapy reading groups, and Congleton and Nantwich offer regular tea and short story reading sessions in the library. Regular rhymetime sessions take place at larger libraries to attract the youngest readers, and 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. Reminiscence boxes are also available for use with reading groups and other activities. We have additional services to support readers, which include our Books on Wheels service run in conjunction with the WRVS and Skills for Life collections such as Quick Reads. We have special collections and equipment for children with special needs, people with visual impairment and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. We also provide reading lists and information relating to Books on Prescription. Details of Cheshire East's additional library services can be found at:
Writers
There are a number of library-based writers groups and a regular programme of poetry workshops throughout the year. These were established as part of the Cheshire Poet Laureate scheme. On World Book Day 2009, the council commissioned an original short story to be read at libraries across the county.
Events
Cheshire East Libraries seek to to promote a positive image of the service and attract new users through a regular programme of events. Examples of recent library events include:
Former Cheshire Poet Laureate, John Lindley in an event at Alsager to celebrate National Poetry Day.
Science Month at Crewe including a Science and Fiction event with David McIntee, writer of novels based on the science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as Final Destination and Space: 1999. David also contributes to many magazines including Star Trek Communicator, Titan's Star Trek Magazine and The Official Star Wars Fact Files.
Nantwich Words and Music Festival events at the library: Poetry evening with Jo Bell, former Cheshire Poet Laureate and Co-ordinator of the UK's National Poetry Day 2009, and a Short Story Workshop with Robert Graham, author and Programme Leader for Creative Writing at MMU.
For more information on Cheshire East libraries visit
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk or contact:
Karen Crook
Tel: 07879 418289
email: karen.crook@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Or
Una McLoughlin
Tel: 07846 765148
