The difference reading can make to young people’s lives

Denbighshire Libraries are joining Wales’ Winter of Wellbeing initiative by helping to launch a campaign to promote the difference reading can make to young people’s lives and the power of public libraries to support them.

To celebrate the launch, children and young people are being invited to nominate and share a book that’s made a positive difference to how they feel.

A national longlist will be announced at the end of this month, as a host of events and activities launch online and in libraries.

Nominations are open to all books, in English or Welsh, including fiction, non-fiction, picture books, poetry, graphic novels and more.

As the pandemic continues to dominate our daily lives, the Welsh Government-funded Winter of Wellbeing is a cross-Wales bid to help children and young people recover from the pandemic and head into spring feeling better, more connected to others and ready for a new start.

“After such a tough time, their local library is an ideal place for young people to get back into the community,” says Bethan Hughes, Denbighshire’s principal librarian.

“Everyone is welcome in their local library whatever their age, ability or background, and everything inside, the thousands of print, audio and online reads, belongs to everyone.

"The library is a safe and friendly place to explore interests and ambitions, and to connect with others.

"We are hoping to be able to showcase that in these winter months and are really excited about the difference it can make.”

Four-time winner of the Tir na n’Og Wales Children’s Book Awards and Welsh Libraries' current author of the month, Manon Steffan Ros, echoes this.

"Libraries are community hubs and there is nothing like them to centralise the social experience of being in a community, or to democratise knowledge.

"I wrote quite a few books in my local library and I came to see not only how librarians were brilliant at welcoming young people, finding and recommending books for them, but also building social connections with everyone who came in, and introducing them to others through groups and events, too.

“Young people don't always think of libraries as their space, but it really is and this campaign will showcase all that libraries can offer them.

“I always go back to certain books that make me feel good, especially in the Winter. Books can introduce you to others just like you. Make you realise you’re not alone, even if it feels that way.

"I am so looking forward to see what children and young people recommend.”

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s lead member for housing and communities, said “I’m delighted that the Winter of Wellbeing campaign is being launched in our libraries giving children and young people opportunities to reconnect with each other and their community through their local library.

"I encourage everyone to go to their local library this winter to discover the wealth of books and activities, and the warm welcome on offer from our helpful staff.”

Public libraries across Wales have teamed up with The Reading Agency on this campaign and the seasonal celebration of reading will continue through to the end of March with a programme of activities and events delivered online and in libraries.

For more information on the Winter of Wellbeing and how your child or you can nominate a book go to www.readingagency.org.uk/winterofwellbeing or to go straight to the nomination page go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/H5CRYBK

Further information on the wider Winter of Wellbeing activity programme in Denbighshire will be announced shortly.