Release Date: 25/01/2008
A new literacy campaign promoting the pleasures and benefits of reading will be launched by Richmond Council next week (1 February).
During National Year of Reading, the borough’s libraries are spearheading a 12-month drive encouraging more people to pick up books, magazines and newspapers or read from the internet and other digital sources.
Called ‘Get Richmond Reading’ it will involve local schools, voluntary organisations and arts groups. Innovative events and targeted promotions will demonstrate the importance of literary skills in everyday life and work, and inspire young people to read.
Parents will also be urged to nurture the bookworms of the future by reading to their children.
There will be appearances from top authors and monthly themes including crime writing and travel to spread the literary bug. Costa Coffee is lending its support in a challenge for every adult to read six books over the course of the year.
Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said:
“The importance of reading cannot be overstated.
“Books open us up to different worlds and fire the imagination while literacy skills are essential for people of all ages to fulfil their potential in education, training and the workplace.
“But despite the recent Harry Potter phenomenon many people are not reading enough. This excellent campaign aims to reverse that trend with a range of exciting literary events to inspire, enthuse and entertain.
“It will make excellent use of our beautiful libraries, many of which have recently been refurbished, and encourage more people to join them and take advantage of the wealth of resources on offer.
“Look out for more information on our website and in our libraries as we spread the word and do our best to get Richmond reading.”