New campaign at libraries to get us all reading

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture has launched a new campaign to encourage more people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang to get reading.

The Read The Past Imagine the Future campaign, supported by the Scottish Library and Information Council, will be live in Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Cathkin and Halfway libraries until December 3.

The initiative was launched by Lanarkshire-based Ethyl Smith, author of the novel Changed Times, at Low Parks Museum in Hamilton.

Read the Past Imagine the Future aims to raise awareness among people of all ages to discover what their local library offers, including book lending, computers and IT facilities, e-books, newspapers and magazines, author events, children’s activities, reading groups, local and family history resources and employment support. It also aims to encourage reading throughout communities across Scotland and to widen knowledge of local and national history.

The seven month Scottish national reading promotion will include fiction, non-fiction and will celebrate Scotland’s rich heritage, history and culture of writing and reading. Stock will include local and national history and local authors as well as stock that focuses on Scottish heritage and depicts images and ideas of the future.

Library users can also enter a competition to win a £50 book token by submitting a book review, either to their local library or on Twitter using the hashtag #ReaDiscover16 and including @ southlanarkshirelibraries in the tweet. More details are available in local libraries or at www. slleisureandculture.co.uk.

Gerry Campbell, general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture said: “With this campaign, we want to inspire people to visit their local library and pick up a new book and enjoy reading for the pleasure it brings. It’s amazing how much books and reading can teach you and open up your imagination.

“Modern libraries offer something for people of all ages.”