The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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NYR library membership drive

09.10.08 Benedicte Page

The National Year of Reading is launching a second library ­membership drive this month, as project director Honor Wilson-­Fletcher confirmed that one million new library users have been signed up so far this year.

The “Do Something Different!” fortnight will run from 18th October to 1st November, coinciding with the school half-term, and will feature events showcasing what libraries can offer every member of the family. Events will include a Dr Who day in Corsham, a Dinosaur day at Greenwich library, a manga-drawing event in Sudbury and live music lin Lancaster Library. The fortnight will be supported by PR including an advertorial in the News of the World and local radio.

Wilson-Fletcher said: "Our original target was 350,000 new library members. We are in the joyful position of having hit a million and that will continue to build for the rest of the year. Libraries have done an amazing job and “Do Something Different!” is another phase of activity to support libraries. Now that we have signed up a million new users, we want to continue to engage them."

The first ever national library membership campaign was launched on 26th April as part of the National Year of Reading and discussions are underway to make it an annual event, possibly linked in with World Book Day.

Benedicte Page National Year of Reading NYR libraries membership drive