Libraries marking Book Week

Well-read Airdrie and Coatbridge residents are invited to get on the same page as local libraries to celebrate Book Week Scotland.

Running from next Monday to Sunday, the theme of this year’s event is “nourish”and CultureNL’s libraries plan on providing a “full and hearty menu of books, events and activities for your enjoyment”.

A special writing workshop kicks things off in Coatbridge at 2.30pm on Monday, with Willie Cowell giving a presentation entitled“It worked for me” about how he got his short story published in this year’s Book Week Scotland short story collection, Nourish.

Tuesday sees a group of predominately Glasgow writers and poets rocking up at Airdrie library, from 7pm.

In collaboration with musician Jim Byrne and teacher James Connarty, the special guests have produced a book and music CD called Ten Writers Telling Lies and their Airdrie appearance will give visitors the chance to hear some of the writers read and perform from their book.

Literary fans can then banish the winter blues at a storytelling supper held in Coatbridge library next Wednesday at 5.30pm.

Enjoy some after-work snacks while storyteller Eric Brennan entertains with a selection of fairy tales and legends, leading up to good food and good stories.

Both Airdrie and Coatbridge libraries will also be featuring an extensive stock of Scottish books, including Bernard MacLaverty’s Midwinter Break, Alan Taylor’s Glasgow the Autobiography, Who Built Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith and others and Tom Devine’s Independence or Union: Scotland’s Past and Scotland’s Present.

Places for the Willie Cowell and Eric Brennan events at Coatbridge library are limited, so book early by calling 01236 856444 or emailing CoatbridgeLibrary@culturenl.co.uk

Visit www.culturenl.co.uk/bookweekscotland and www.facebook.com/ librariesnl, or follow @LibrariesNL on Twitter, for the full programme of Book Week Scotland events across North Lanarkshire.

Activities are free of charge unless otherwise stated.