Author's library marathon arrives in Cheshire West | |
27 AugustChildren’s poet and author Joseph Coelho has visited Storyhouse in Chester as part of his library joining marathon.Joseph set himself the challenge of joining a library in every library authority in the UK in a quest to celebrate the inclusive, vital role libraries play in our lives and to encourage as many people as possible to #JoinYourLibrary. As part of his ‘Library Marathon’ Joseph will physically visit a library in each authority to join and receive his library card. He has plotted his progress on a giant library marathon map on his website at www.thepoetryofjosephcoelho.com tweeting and blogging his journey around the UK. Joseph has long been a passionate and vociferous supporter of libraries in the UK. His debut picture book, Luna Loves Library Day, celebrates his love for libraries and his own childhood spent in libraries. Joseph said: “It was in my local library where I studied for exams with friends, browsed books about beach combing and imagined living by the sea, bought second-hand encyclopedias that I’d otherwise never own and where I had my first Saturday job. It was in my library that I got to know and connect with my local community, where I read, studied and wrote.” Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “We were delighted to welcome Joseph to Storyhouse on his library marathon and present him with a Cheshire West and Chester library card. His tour is a wonderful way of celebrating the vital role of libraries at the heart of communities across the borough. I’m looking forward to celebrating Libraries Week in October, when our libraries will be hosting a range of activities and events." There are around 3,600 public libraries across every part of the UK, serving more than 200m physical visits a year and over 90m online. Libraries have a more diverse audience than any other arts/culture sector with the demographic most strongly correlated with library use being 15-24 year olds.  Joseph Coelho is presented with his library card by Janet Salisbury, Library Team Member, Storyhouse | |
