Ref: tn_16507
Date: 19th December 2007

Reading with Passion at Wigan Borough’s Libraries

Libraries across Wigan Borough are proving to be a real page turner for literature fans wishing to share their joy and passion for reading.

Hundreds of readers meet each month at one of the twelve reading groups currently organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s library service. The groups have proven so popular that a new group has been set up at Hindley Library who will meet on the last Monday of every month from January.

Reading for pleasure is one of the nation’s most popular recreations. For some people, whose friends and family don’t read, it can be frustrating to not be able to share their experiences and that’s where reading groups come in.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Reader in Residence Stephen Lythgoe said: “Reading Groups are a great outlet for people of all ages who enjoy reading and gathering together to talk about books. We provide a friendly informal environment in which the groups love to discuss, criticise and rave about the books that have inspired them.

“If you have finished a brilliant book that you can’t put down, you want to share the experience, find other readers who have enjoyed it and pass on the recommendation to people who haven’t read it yet. Our groups are ideal to share that passion.”

Assistant Director for Opening the Book (the organisation that pioneered Reading Development in Britain Libraries) Olive Fowler said: “Reading is a creative act. You can be transported to the furthest reaches of the galaxy without leaving the comfort of your armchair; you can make expert analysis of forensic evidence in a murder investigation; you can enjoy the heights and depths of a passionate love affair without smudging your lipstick; you can point out exactly where the hero or heroine went wrong and what they should have done in that situation.”

All Wigan Libraries’ Reading groups are free, informal, and fun: and most libraries now have at least one group. Group members are encouraged to try books outside their usual reading patterns, often gaining new favourite authors in the process.

To learn more about the new reading group at Hindley Library which takes place on the last Monday of every month from 2pm to 3pm, please call 01942 255287.

Reading Groups take place at various libraries across the borough. Each group meets at least once a month, for further details please contact the library directly on the number provided: Ashton – 01942 727119, Aspull – 01942 831303, Atherton – 01942 404817, Golborne – 01942 777800, Leigh – 01942 404404, Orrell – 01942 705060, Shevington – 01257 252618, Standish – 01257 400496, Tyldesley – 01942 882504.

For more information about Wigan Borough’s libraries visit www.wlct.org/libraries.
-ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942 486937 or at c.dunbar@wlct.org.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over 300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See www.wlct.org.

Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.

 

Print this page

Return to Trust News
 

Trust Home Page | About Us | Leisure | Culture | Tourism | Sport | Arts | Libraries | Contact Us