Last updated 16:48, Thursday, 08 May 2008

Read for pleasure, whether it’s Ulysses or Katie Price...

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NEVER TOO YOUNG: Youngsters from the ABC Nursery visited Whitehaven Library for a story telling session by library assistant Ruth Giles. The event was to mark the launch of National Year of Reading, which encouraged all ages to read for 10 minutes at 10 o'clock on April 23.

I CAN truly bore for England about books. They are without doubt (apart from a select few human beings) my favourite things in the world.
If you are passionate about reading, you are always provided with a cheap and healthy way to escape the grind of every-day life. It is also one of the few things in life that is so enjoyable – without any strings attached.
A recent survey slammed youngsters’ reading habits, saying they are less likely to read classic novels than websites and fanzines.
However, I believe there should be no room for snobbery when it comes to encouraging people to read. One man’s Ulysses is another man’s Katie Price: The life story.
This is the National Year of Reading which, through a series of campaigns, aims to inspire reluctant readers. These include those with low confidence, boys and dads who are encouraged to get stuck into anything which will improve their reading skills such as blogs, magazines and newspapers.
Copeland’s libraries will be encouraging new members to join by offering free packs for children, young people and adults which include reading guides. To mark the event, throughout the year there will also be themed months which will offer inspirational ideas from summer escapism to sport and from Shakespeare to rap lyrics.
The scheme hopes to encourage all family members to look again at their reading habits. Children, for example, are encouraged to ask for four books they really want to read at the library and swap reads with their school-mates; teenagers are asked to become reading buddies at school or create their own magazine or reading blog; and adults are asked to find 10 minutes reading time in their day and take the six-book challenge to boost their skills.
For more information on the National Year of Reading ask at your local libraries or go to www.yearofreading. org.uk
Other useful websites: www.quickreads.org.uk; www.firstchoicebooks.org.uk and www.sixbookchallenge. org.uk.
Celebrating West Cumbrian history
MAY is local history month throughout Copeland’s libraries.
A fascinating array of displays, workshops and talks marking days gone by will be held as well as ancestry website taster sessions available in most libraries.
Here is a list of events:
WHITEHAVEN LIBRARY: Scrap-booking session with Hazel Wright from Haven Crafts, Tuesday May 13 at 10.30pm. To book contact 01946 852900.
There is a month-long display of Whitehaven Tannery.
Also talks by David Powell on Kelton and Knockmurton Mines and Railways on Thursday May 8 at 10.45am and John Graham (currently the World’s Biggest Liar) on Saturday May 17 at 2.15pm. Book a place on 852900.
Workshops held during the month are Deciphering Old Handwriting on Saturday May 17 at 10.30pm and First Twig on the Family Tree, which will be held at Whitehaven Record Office, on Saturday May 17 from 10am-noon.
CLEATOR MOOR LIBRARY: Entertainment through the Years display by Cleator Moor Local History Society, from 12-24 May.
EGREMONT LIBRARY: Collection of old photographs and a talk by Alan Read on Old Egremont, Thursday May 15, 2-4pm. To book ring 820464.
GOSFORTH LIBRARY: display of Netherwasdale May Day celebration.
HENSINGHAM LIBRARY: Who Lived Where? A look at older properties in the Hensingham area and who lived there.
KELLS LIBRARY: a display of Marchon.
MILLOM LIBRARY: display of items from the Millom Gazette 100 years ago.
MIREHOUSE LIBRARY: a display of Haig Mining Museum.
SEASCALE LIBRARY: a history of the fire service in Seascale, a display and open day on Wednesday May 14 from 2-4pm.
ST BEES LIBRARY: display by St Bees Local History Group.
THORNHILL LIBRARY: a display of old local photographs.
Young latching
on to gossip mags
CELEBRITY gossip mags are kids’ favoured reads, according to a new study.
Youngsters, as young as 11, are turning their backs on novels and classic literature say The Read Up, Fed Up survey which questioned 1,340 of them about their reading habits.
Sue Palmer, a literacy consultant, said: “There is research to show one of the best indicator of future academic success is how much children read by the age of 16. By reading a book you are building up the stamina to absorb words for a longer period of time.’’
However, Honor Wilson-Fletcher, the director of the National Year of Reading, said: “We should all appreciate that many young people are reading creatively. Teens are challenging our traditional definitions of reading as being all about books but reading enthusiastically nonetheless.’’

Young readers produce magazine
MEMBERS of the Whitehaven Library’s ‘Teenspirational’ group have produced a magazine as part of the National Year of Reading.
Last month’s theme was Read All About It, and the members of the group, who meet once a month, produced work for the magazine including television and car reviews as well as a personality quiz. (There are some copies to view in the library).
The group meets on Thursday May 8 from 3.45pm to 4.45pm and is open to all people aged 12 and over who are interested in a variety of book related activities, from drawing Manga to reviewing books that aren’t yet published.
New activities at Whitehaven library
A NEW monthly reading group aimed at six-to eight-year olds will be held on Sunday May 25. The children will be reading The Mouse Family Robinson and doing crafts linked to it. All are welcome and there’s no need to book, but please remember that all children aged under eight must be accompanied by an adult.
Also in the Daniel Hay Library a family yoga session will take place on Sunday May 11.
It will be run by Kay McMahon, of the Senhouse Centre, and there will be a charge of £1 per person. Booking is necessary, and this can be done by phoning the library on 01946 852900.