Wirral: National Libraries Day
Wirral celebrated National Libraries Day in style this year with a number of events throughout the Borough. Despite really bad weather on the day we attracted very good audiences!
Bebington Library had a visit from poet John Siddique who read from his latest work "Full Blood" (" 'Full Blood' is John 's fourth full-length collection of poems for adults. Erotic, physical, completely open and fully engaged with the moral urgency of life, he tackles his themes robustly and yet with great sensitivity, constantly defining and reimagining what it is to be a man in today's world, living fully in the moment." John was extremely friendly and approachable and interacted really well with his audience, many of whom had read his book in their reading groups. It was lovely to hear them say things like "Please can you read the one on page 76, John - that really moved us" and to see his response. He stayed afterwards chatting to people for ages over tea & biscuits.
West Kirby Library hosted a talk from local poet & author Dr Gladys Mary Coles on her acclaimed novel "Clay". Set during and in the aftermath of the War and moving between Liverpool, France, Wirral and North Wales, Clay vividly evokes period and place. It also conveys with sensitivity both the physical and psychological effects of war injuries and mutilation, as the characters of the novel struggle to cope and readjust. Again, many members of the audience had read the book so the discussion was lively and interactive. Dr Coles is a regular user of West Kirby Library and a very familiar face in the area.
Birkenhead Central Library organised their extremely successful Victorian Tearooms in the foyer and along with the teas, coffees and cakes nearly a hundred visitors were treated to readings from some of Dickens' best-loved works.
Other libraries organised displays on the day.
For any more information please contact Julie Mann
Tel: 0151 666 3750
Librarians in the North West have pioneered partnership working to encourage new readers into libraries. Time To Read is a partnership of librarians engaged in reader development activity in public library authorities in the North West Region. All 23 public library authorities in the region currently support Time To Read.