Tameside libraries will be holding a variety of events to celebrate World Book Day on the 7th. We headed to Ashton Library to find out more.
World Book Day returns to the UK on 7th March, when libraries and schools across the country dress up as popular book characters and buy books with World Book Day tokens. , celebrate this day.
Ashton Library celebrates the day with a variety of events and a party to cap it off. Louise Clark, Information Services Librarian based at Ashton Library, gave us details of what Ashton Library and other Tameside libraries can offer during the day.
“We have a team of librarians here arranging various items for World Book Day. We are currently working with children on a story maker project working with book illustrators, which will be published later this year. It’s all about excitement this week as we celebrate World Book Day throughout March this year with two storytelling sessions hosted by theater company 2 Boards & A Passion. Every Thursday inside.”
Theater company 2 Boards & A Passion has been involved in Tameside since 2007 and regularly collaborates with TMBC Culture to create characters and experiences for local family events.
Louise told us more about what else is planned for World Book Day at Ashton Library. “This Thursday we will be having a craft party afterwards and we would like children to come in costume and we will also be running a token scheme for children to take part in. ” You can exchange it for a special £1 book published as part of World Book Day in the bookstore, or exchange it for any other book. ”
This token scheme is a World Book Day staple and has been supported by National Book Tokens for over 20 years. The scheme has enabled thousands of children to purchase books for World Book Day, encouraging them to read more and aiding their development. The voucher scheme is just one way World Book Day supports children’s education.
Louise praised National Day, saying, “It’s really about taking children to the library and getting them excited about reading. Developing children’s language skills is very important and “It’s been shown to help with development and learning ability. It also increases that ability.” A lifelong love of reading for pleasure is also very important for well-being and future learning. ”
For more information about the activities that will be held at the library on the day, please visit https://www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/whatson.