Press release kindly written by Devon County Council

Book lovers in Devon are being invited to celebrate World Book Night at the County Council's libraries next week.

This year, 250,000 World Book Night editions (12,500 copies of 20 titles) will be given by a network of volunteer reading enthusiasts and institutions focusing on reaching the 35.2% of the population who don't read for pleasure.

In Exeter, library staff and volunteers will be giving out free books outside Exeter Central Station from a specially set up pop-up library from 12:00 to 4:00pm just across the road from Exeter College. Great news for commuters who may be able to grab themselves a free book before starting the journey home!

Dance in Devon will also be in attendance and is inviting passers by to 'stand and stare' as dance claims the streets for centre stage. There will be dance happenings and bookish flash mobs between 12.30-2.30pm where people can join in the flash mob as Exeter College Students will be on hand to teach the simple choreography. This event is supported by Arts Wave Devon and Exeter College.

It takes place on Wednesday 23 April, which is a symbolic date for world literature as it is the birth and death day of Shakespeare, as well as the death day of Cervantes, the great Spanish novelist. It is in their honour that UNESCO appointed it the international day of the book and that it was chosen to celebrate World Book Night.

By enlisting thousands of passionate book lovers around the country World Book Night reaches out to the millions of people in the UK who have yet to fall in love with reading in the hope that they can start them on their reading journey.

In addition World Book Night distributes half a million books directly to the hardest to reach potential readers in prisons, care homes, hospitals, sheltered, supported and social housing, the homeless and through partner charities working throughout the UK.

Events are taking place in libraries across Devon to mark the second annual global event on Monday 23 April, and everyone is invited to come along and celebrate the books and spread a love of reading in communities.

Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, Roger Croad says; “I'm pleased to hear so much is going on in Devon to celebrate World Book Night. Events such as these are a real talking point in communities and help bring people together. This reaches out to people who may be less willing readers or not as confident as others so it's a great way of encouraging people of all ages to pick up a book. Thanks must go to all our volunteers who are helping on the night.”

For more information about what is going on at your local library please visit www.devon.gov.uk/libraries or call 0845 155 1001.

For more information about World Book Night please visit www.worldbooknight.org