H & F Takes Part in Cityread London
Cityread London, a month-long celebration of literature begins today, March 31 and runs throughout April, with events, workshops and screenings planned across the capital.
In Hammersmith there will be a a variety of different activities at the borough’s libraries – including one event that will see council staff cycling between Shepherd's Bush Library and Hammersmith giving out free books.
Cityread London, is designed to promote reading for pleasure, get more people using libraries and encourage people to learn about the capital’s history.
As part of the event, organisers are attempting to get London reading by inviting everyone to read the same book – ‘My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young. The First World War novel was selected to mark the centenary of the outbreak of war through literature.
Cityread London has also chosen a children’s book for young people to read – Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo – and has planned a programme of activities around this bestseller, including storytelling sessions, comic book workshops and craft activities.
One of the first events to take place in H&F gives children aged four to 11 the chance to create a poppy field in memory of soldiers who died during WWI. It takes place at Shepherd's Bush Library on Tuesday, April 8, from 3.45pm to 4.45pm.
Events for adults during the month-long celebration include writing workshops and chances to join reading groups. Hammersmith Library is hosting free Cityread-themed writing workshops on Monday, April 7 and Monday, April 14 from 6pm to 7.30pm, with no booking required.
One of the first events at Fulham Library is a Q&A with author John Wilcox on Thursday, April 3, where he will discuss his First World War story Starshine from 6pm to 7.30pm.
One of the final events during Cityread London takes place on World Book Night, on Wednesday April 23. The event will see authors giving talks at Shepherd's Bush Library, Kensington Central and Paddington Library – with H&F library staff using the council’s rickshaw to cycle between Shepherd's Bush Library and Hammersmith from 6pm to 8pm giving out free books.
To see the full schedule of Cityread events at libraries across H&F, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster visit www.cityreadlondon.org.uk.
Cityread London is funded by Arts Council England and sponsored by Transport for London.
March 31, 2014
