Relaxation, entertainment and information in one space… take a fresh look at your library

Welsh libraries are encouraging everyone to take a fresh look at their library this autumn as they take part in a national campaign to promote the benefits library usage can have on people’s health and wellbeing, literacy and learning and even help with the cost of living!

From mood-boosting books and reading groups, to large print, audio books, free e-books – libraries will be showing how they can have a positive impact on your life during the ‘Get Reading, Get Better, Get Libraries’ campaign.

This year’s campaign is aimed at men and boys in particular and the launch event at Parc Y Scarlets today saw members of the team ‘pass’ a book recommendation on to their friends, colleagues and fans including children from local primary school Ysgol Bryn Teg.

Launching the campaign, John Griffiths, Minister for Culture & Sport said: “Libraries provide us with a vast choice of things to read, watch or listen to, as well as access to lots of information on health and wellbeing in a variety of formats.”

“Linking sport with reading will hopefully encourage more readers and help increase literacy levels. Now that libraries in Wales are offering free e-books there really is no excuse – you can read on your smartphone or tablet.”

Speaking at the launch, international rugby referee, Nigel Owens commented: “Taking time out to relax is very important. Reading is a great way to find out more about something or to escape from reality and I can thoroughly recommend it as a great way to pass the time when travelling on trains, buses and planes and inspiring men and boys to read through sport is a great way to promote the benefits of reading and inspire people to take a fresh look at their library.”

Scarlets’ star, Deacon Manu is a regular user of the local libray in Llanelli and he said: “All parents should take the time to encourage their kids to read especially as they get older and begin to find other interests. By showing the kids here today that libraries and rugby are working together we will hopefully inspire more men and boys to take up reading – and reading isn’t just about big books, there are great graphic novels available in the library.”

A full programme of free events for all the family in libraries and local communities across the whole of Wales is available on librarywales.org – ranging from regular library events such as author visits, baby bounce & rhyme sessions and reading groups through to yoga, sports quiz nights, zumba classes, drop-in health checks and even a library shed in Anglesey!

For more details on the services and activities available in your area call into your local library, visit librarywales.org, follow “Welsh Libraries” on Facebook and Twitter or take a look at our YouTube channel.