Newcastle prepares to celebrate World Book Night

World Book Night, organised by The Reading Agency, is an annual celebration of books to encourage people of all ages to get into reading.

In Newcastle, Newcastle Libraries are launching ‘World Book Night 500 Words’- a short story competition in celebration of World Book Night.

Tyne Bridge Publishing author Tricia Coxon has written the first part of the story ‘Train Letter To...’ So it's time to get those creative cogs turning and complete the story in 500 words!

To enter, email entries to information@newcastle.gov.uk by May 21^st. Read the start of the story here.

Cllr John-Paul Stephenson, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Public Health, said: “With proven links between regular reading and improved life satisfaction, literacy and lower levels of stress, there has never been a better time to pick up a new book and start reading.

“The coronavirus lockdown measures have given most people more time to themselves or in their homes, and it is vital to look after your mental wellbeing and reading can be a great help in that sense.

“We’ve made some incredible improvements to our libraries service to make it easier for people to access ebooks, emagazines, audiobooks and much more, straight from your homes, and I can’t wait to see what people are reading on World Book Night.”

There will be a national reading hour, from 7pm to 8pm, where participants can share on social what books, ebooks or audiobooks they are enjoying and join in the discussion using the hashtag #ReadingHour.

Also taking place in Newcastle will be a World Book Night Quiz on Newcastle Libraries’ social media pages, and former Newcastle Libraries colleague and Newcastle resident Katherine Cassidy has already responded to the call out for the national Reading Hour. Katherine has written a poem ‘In Praise of Key Workers’ and she will read her moving piece during Reading Hour.

The Reading Agency has also created a suggested booklist to inspire people to get into reading. This can be viewed here.

To borrow an eBook or eAudiobook in from Newcastle libraries people will need to download either the RBdigital or Borrow Box app onto their smart phone or other device. Anyone wanting to get an eComic or eMagazine will need to use the RBdigital app.

From there they can sign into the Newcastle Libraries service using their membership number. If you are not already registered, you can do so on our library pages.

Using the app people can borrow, renew or return items and can borrow up to five titles at a time.

For more information about borrowing electronic books, magazines, comics and audiobooks visit: http://tiny.cc/toonEbooks