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Libraries Week kicks off today (Monday 7th October) with a focus on what the nation’s libraries are doing with digital technology.
The annual event, sponsored by Nielsen Book and Rakuten Overdrive, will feature coding clubs, the publication of “University Challenge” star and CILIP Library Champion Bobby Seagull publish a manifesto for libraries. Seagull is calling on politicians to invest more in the service through a £50m improvement fund and "fair funding" for local authorities.
He said: “From my own experience as a child, an adult and now as a teacher, I know how trained librarians can help children to expand their horizons, discover new ideas and build their skills. This is vitally important as we look to prepare the next generation to live and work in a knowledge-based digital economy.”
Today, Simon & Schuster Children’s UK will launch a Love Your Library campaign in partnership with Peters featuring an exhibition of original artwork from 12 S&S illustrators at the Victoria and Albert museum in the National Art Library.
On 8th October, Libraries Week will be celebrating Ada Lovelace Day, and women and girls in STEM, with special events taking place across the UK. Leeds libraries are collaborating with Sky and Empowering Women with Tech to run special Ada Lovelace events. Meanwhile, the team behind Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls will be sharing downloadable coding activities from new book, Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code.
Other highlights include Saturday 12th October, when all 325 public libraries in London will be taking part in the World of Possibilities Festival with late-night openings, film screenings and interactive digital storytelling sessions.
Nick Poole, c.e.o. of Libraries Week organisers CILIP said: “Libraries everywhere have transformed their offer for a digital age. From robots to 3D printers, virtual reality to gaming, libraries are the perfect place to get creative, get connected and learn new skills.
“This year, I am particularly excited to be launching our LEGO Library of the Future competition with our Library Champion Bobby Seagull. We are looking forward to seeing the imaginative ideas people have for their libraries. We are also encouraging everyone who supports their library to go online, register their support and make a donation at LibrariesDeliver.”