Media Release 10 May 2012
Call to action: pick up a book in Library and Information Week!
Rediscover the joy of reading at the State Library of Western Australia
The State Library of Western Australia encourages all Western Australians to pick up a book and get reading during National Library and Information Week, 20 - 26 May.Worryingly, about 46% of Australians aged 15 to 74 have a literacy level below what is considered enough to get by in everyday life. In this National Year of Reading, the State Library of Western Australia aims to reverse this troubling statistic by providing ample opportunities for aspiring readers to get involved, re-engage and pick up a book and re-kindle the joy of reading amongst Western Australians.
Young children and their parents can join tens of thousands of other children in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres and family homes right across Australia in reading Nick Bland’s The Very Cranky Bear as part of the annual National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday 23 May.
The State Library will be taking part in the event by hosting a reading of the book at 11am in The Place, an area on the mezzanine level developed especially for children. Parents and carers are encouraged to bring their pre-school aged children along to the library for this special event.
Adults looking to re-engage with books will be entertained by talks from children’s author James Foley, fiction writer Natasha Lester and the Travel Editor of The West Australian Stephen Scourfield at the Take3 author talks on Wednesday 23 May at the State Library Theatre.
This event is being held in celebration of Western Australian authors and illustrators, many of whom are profiled in the current Write On! exhibition in The Gallery, Ground floor.
Wine and cheese will be served from 6:00pm and the talks will begin at 6:30pm. Books by each author will be available for purchase and signing. This is a free event but reservations are essential. Call 9427 3111 to book your place.
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For further details regarding this Media Statement, please contact Doug George, Manager Public Programs. Tel. (08) 9427 3150 email: doug.george@slwa.wa.gov.au
