Vale of Glamorgan Council libraries help residents mark National Reading Day
Vale of Glamorgan residents are reminded that many library services are still available despite the buildings being closed to the public.
This Saturday is National Reading Day, a UK-wide drive to encourage young people to enjoy books, and the Vale’s libraries offer a range of safe ways to embrace the occasion.
Titles can be borrowed contactlessly, while a host of other services are also on offer.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “It’s stunning what our libraries do and that’s even more true during the pandemic. I think people would be amazed at the services that have been developed. There’s a click and collect service available, lucky dip book selections and thousands of e-books and magazines.
“Those are the things you might expect, but there’s also a tablet loan scheme and help from staff to get online.“I’ve been tracing my family history because access to an ancestry website is avaiable free through the library. There are also stories for children delivered online through social media."
Services currently offered by Vale libraries include:
- A click and collect service that can be accessed either online or over the phone.
- A ‘lucky dip’ selection of books.
- Thousands of free eBooks and audiobooks to borrow.
- Hundreds of free digital magazines.
- Hundreds of free digital comics for children and adults
- Regular online (facebook) activities for children, including story readings, sing-a-long sessions and crafts.
- A tablet Loan Scheme
- Free access to websites used to trace a family tree from home.
- An online reading group through Welsh libraries (facebook)
- Updates on services through fb.com/voglibraries or @voglibraries on twitter.
- Online registration is also now available for Vale residents who are not already members
Those who have lost their membership details should contact their local library rather than reregistering to avoid creating duplicate accounts.
All returned books are quarantined for 72 hours and then disinfected before being reissued.
“I don’t think you can overstate the importance of reading, but all too often it’s portrayed as something that’s deadly serious and a task to be undertaken,” added Cllr Burnett.
“But reading is a really good way of spending a few hours of relaxation and escaping the pretty horrendous times we’ve experienced over the last year.
“I love the online magazines that are on offer. For maybe teens or children that don’t really want to pick up a book, an hour’s break looking at comics and graphic novels might be quite appealing, and if a child gets enthralled in books, that can last a lifetime.”