Sissay announced as ambassador for Manchester Festival of Libraries

Lemn Sissay has been named as the ambassador for this year’s Manchester Festival of Libraries.  

The festival, which highlights what is offered by the library service, runs from 15th to 19th June and will stage 80 events covering everything from wellbeing to culture and creativity.  

Sissay will participate and provide support and will also act as a judge on the Shoebox Libraries project to encourage children to create their own dream library out of materials they can find at home. 

Schools across Manchester will be able to access a live stream of Sissay talking about his love for libraries, reading from his new picture book, Don’t Ask The Dragon (Canongate), and answering questions put to him by primary school pupils from across Greater Manchester. 

He will also join the festival’s Inspired By strand of events. New events for 2022 include the Readers in Residence programme featuring young adult author Danielle Jawondo who wrote And The Stars Were Burning Brightly (Simon & Schuster’s Childrens).   

Sissay said: "A library is the loudest place on the high street because books are bursting with very loud ideas. And yet it is where you can go for peace and quiet. Amongst all that is happening in our world, peace and quiet has great value. 

“Libraries change the world because people who use libraries change the world. This year’s Festival of Libraries demonstrates throughout its brilliant programme that all ages, all types, all are welcome. Your community. Your library."