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The Reading Agency has announced a new wave of author and publisher support for libraries as the service prepares to celebrate National Libraries Day tomorrow (9th February).
The literacy charity has encouraged authors including Stephen Fry, Jacqueline Wilson, Andy McNab, Peter James and Malorie Blackman to use social media to promote their local branches, tweeting mini-love letters to the libraries throughout the day. Members of the public are encouraged to join in on Twitter using the hashtag #lovelibraries.
Live author events are also being organised around the country, with Paul McKenna visiting Islington Library this month, and Kate Atkinson visiting branches in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
This year's Summer Reading Challenge, which encourages children to read for pleasure, will be supported by illustrator Chris Riddell. The theme for this year's event, now in its 15th year, is "Creepy House", and will be spread through libraries across the country.
Publishers are also supporting libraries through Reading Agency partnerships, with Ladybird running Ladybird Live, a series of storytelling events to be held at libraries for pre-school children. Faber will be running a fiction book of the month promotion in 200 libraries, to introduce readers to new books. Pan Macmillan crime writer Ann Cleeves will provide 260 libraries with the materials to run murder mystery nights based on her novel The Glass Room.
Miranda McKearney, director of The Reading Agency, said: "The Reading Agency is a passionate supporter of the way libraries and librarians empower everyone to become readers. The vibrant mix of events, reading initiatives and live tours we're announcing today, along with the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge theme, show how libraries are community powerhouses for reading. That role is irreplaceable; we must not put it at risk."