It's World Book Day on Thursday 1 March and to mark the event Cumbria County Council's Library Service will be joining the worldwide BookCrossing phenomenon and encouraging people to pick up a free book.
Throughout the day, library staff will be leaving specially donated books in pubs, cafes, health centres and other public places across Cumbria where they think someone will have enough time and curiosity to pick up and read a book. Finders of the books can keep them, or pass them on after registering their find online at www.bookcrossing.com
The Library Service hopes that people bumping into the books will be motivated to visit their local library in search of more reading.
Book Crossing is a worldwide book group with almost half a million members. It asks readers to share the books they have enjoyed by leaving them in public places. Books have their own unique number registered on the Book Crossing website and have the potential to be tracked on their journeys around the world.
Councillor Roger Bingham, Cabinet member responsible for Library Services, said: "The BookCrossing project has become a global phenomenon. This is a really innovative way to celebrate World Book Day and spread the joy of reading."
In addition to this event, Cumbria's libraries are laying on a host of fun-packed activities to mark World Book Day. For information on what's happening in their area, people can contact their local library or log-on to the Library Service's website at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries
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Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337