Barry Library Shares the Joy of Reading with World Book Night Giveaway
Barry Library successfully marked World Book Night and the National Year of Reading with a community-focused book giveaway that encouraged residents to immerse themselves in the joy of reading.
On 23 April, library staff spent the day at the bus stop outside the library, handing out free copies of Cell One by Leye Adenle to passers-by.
The initiative formed part of the global celebration of World Book Night, held annually on 23 April to coincide with UNESCO’s International Day of the Book and the traditional birth and death date of William Shakespeare.
Often described as the adult equivalent of World Book Day, World Book Night aims to inspire more people to read for pleasure by sharing books within communities.
Alongside the giveaway, staff provided information on how to join the library, take part in the Reading Hour, and get involved in activities linked to the National Year of Reading.
As part of a wider initiative over the course of the week, additional copies of the book and promotional materials were also distributed to students at the Vale Learning Centre, helping to extend the reach of the campaign beyond the libraries.
Jordan Forse, Library and Cultural Services Manager for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “We were delighted to see such a positive response from the community for World Book Night. Initiatives like this are a simple way to connect people through reading, whether they’re picking up a book for the first time in years or discovering a new author.
“Supporting literacy and a love of reading is a key part of the National Year of Reading, and it’s fantastic to see Barry Library bringing that to life locally.”