Islington Labour councillors are celebrating reading during Islington Reads Week (26 February -; 4 March), as well as the Council keeping open all libraries in the borough, with a wide range of activities.

From library reading sessions to a booklist celebrating female authors, there is plenty to keep bibliophiles entertained and encourage more local people to read for pleasure. Islington’s libraries will play a central role in the activities, which also run during World Book Day (1 March).

To mark 100 years since some women won the right to vote and to celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March), Islington Libraries will be promoting an all-female author book list throughout the month.

Cllr Asima Shaikh, Executive Member for Economic Development, says: “Reading for pleasure has positive effects on education, employment, wellbeing and mental health, which is why it is vital we continue to encourage all local people to read.

“I am proud that this Labour council administration has kept open all of our libraries, so that every child, young person and adult has access to a wealth of reading material, knowledge and enjoyment. Libraries are a vital part of our local community, which is why we are celebrating them throughout the year, not just during Islington Reads Week.”

Other activities taking place during Islington Reads Week include; a reading for under-fives with celebrity drag queen Cookie Monstar, a talk on Jewish suffragettes at the Islington Museum, and the unveiling of the winner of the Islington Teen Read Vote 2018.

Children who attend one of the libraries’ baby bounce or under-fives’ story times will also be able to collect a number of special £1 World Day Book vouchers.

Adults can take part in the ‘Reading Ahead’ challenge by picking six reads to record, rate and review in a diary. People who complete the challenge will have the chance to win one of 10 e-readers. Last year, a record number of people entered the challenge and the Council is keen to see the record beaten again in 2018.

As well as a week of exciting and varied events during Islington Reads Week, there will also be activities running throughout 2018 for Islington’s special ‘year of reading’.

This week, Islington became the first Council in London to provide free sanitary products to those in need at its libraries and heritage services. This way, it can help to tackle period poverty, where some women are forced to go without sanitary products because they cannot afford them.

To get involved or find out more, visit your local library or the Council website.

Pictured – Islington Labour councillors celebrate Islington Reads Week