TIME TO READ

News from library authorities:

BOLTON

Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen & Love - June 5th

An audience of 20 were riveted to their seats listening to the talk on the themes of love running through the novels of Jane Austen & Charlotte Bronte. Elizabeth Williams from the Gaskell Society was an excellent speaker. The feedback was extremely positive: people wanted more events of this kind in the library. A challenging Bronte, Austen & Gaskell quiz was launched. The prizes are some lovely paperback classics kindly donated by Penguin publishers. We used some of the copies to create a display, encouraging people to take them out. To add some fun to the event, a raffle was held and the winners received a free penguin classic.

Matt Jones - Sci Fi Event - 19th June

Up & coming Science Fiction author Matt Jones was promoting his book Off The Rails in the Meeting Room at Bolton Central Library. His presentation was very impressive! When people were asked to evaluate what they particularly enjoyed about the event, some of the replies included :
"Good fun, liked the music & presentation."
"The author's candid accounts of his experiences and publishing the book."
"I enjoyed the story behind the book."
It was a pity that we only had a small audiencefor the event, but it was enjoyed by those who did come.

NYR Reading Escapes - Mystery Reads for June

Mystery Reads were on display in all our Bolton Libraries. The feedback was mixed. In some Community Libraries they flew off the shelf. Breightmet issued over 100! - which is pretty impressive. A lady I spoke to at Central loved the idea. She read 3 Mystery Reads and enjoyed every one. When asked if she would have chosen them herself, she replied that she wouldn't, "but they were well worth reading". People did take the time to fill out review sheets. Although some of the reviews were very positive, there was one person that had read A singular Hostage by Thalassa Ali and said it was "tripe" - obviously didn't enjoy it!!!

For more information contact Melanie Graaf on Tel 01204 338 763 or 332 174

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.

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