Leeds City Council heads up Big Leeds Book Swap

Today, on World Book Day, organisations across Leeds shared their love of reading by taking part in the Big Leeds Book Swap.

Leeds City Council led the book swap this morning with an event at Merrion House where staff brought in over 200 books to swap with colleagues. Local schools and organisations such as Mindwell Leeds and the Royal Armouries museum also got involved by hosting their own book swaps.

Participants were encouraged to bring in a book they enjoyed reading and enclose a note explaining what they liked about it.

The event was part of Leeds Year of Reading, a 12 month initiative launched in September 2019 by Leeds City Council in partnership with BookTrust. Its aim is to encourage a love of reading across the city and, in particular, engage children and their families from different communities and backgrounds to help generate a long-term love of reading.

Other events organised by the council as part of Leeds Year of Reading include the Big Leeds Book Grab. Earlier this year, council staff and staff at local law firms were asked to donate a pre-loved children’s book to young people in Leeds.  Over 1000 books were collected of multiple different genres, ages and languages.

Also as part of Leeds Year of Reading, BookTrust, UK’s largest children’s reading charity, committed to contributing over £1million in books and resources for children and families in Leeds over the next three years. Leeds is just one of over 150 areas in England that BookTrust has committed to funding with books and resources to get children reading.

Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for learning, employment and skills said:

“It’s great that the city has come together on World Book Day to get involved with the Big Leeds Book Swap. We want everyone in Leeds to read - not just for learning, but also for enjoyment. Reading is a fundamental skill that underpins all areas of learning and a love of reading is a key factor in long term academic success. It is a key part of the council’s 3A’s strategy, which aims to improve educational experiences and outcomes across Leeds.”

Updates about Leeds Year of Reading can be found at: http://www.leedsforlearning.co.uk/YearofReading and on Twitter: @leedsYOR.

For media enquiries:

Becky Stubbs, Leeds City Council press office

Tel: 01133786199

Email: rebecca.stubbs@leeds.gov.uk