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The newly crowned children's laureate Julia Donaldson has given her support for National Libraries Day, the new initiative set to carry on the success of last February's Save Our Libraries Day.
Donaldson said: "Hooray for National Libraries Day! So many wonderful things go on in libraries—not just reading, browsing and borrowing, but storytelling, rhyme times, book clubs, activity days, author events and holiday reading challenges—and this special day will be a celebration of them all."
National Libraries Day, scheduled for February next year, is intended to become an annual event celebrating libraries and reading. It has the backing of a wide range of organisations including the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, Campaign for the Book, the Crime Writers Association, the Publishers Association, The Bookseller and many others.
It will follow on from Save Our Libraries Day, when 120 events were held across the country to demonstrate local communities' support for libraries threatened with cuts and closures.
In her acceptance speech for the laureateship on Monday (6th June), Donaldson signalled her intention to be an advocate for the public library service during her two years in the role, saying: "I care very much about libraries and I'm looking for more opportunities to speak out against the cuts and closures I see as so damaging to our children's future."
She has since announced she plans to take a tour of libraries across the UK.