The National Year of Reading (NYR) is a year-long celebration of reading, in all its forms. It aims to increase awareness of the many values of reading – anything, anytime, anyplace – for children, families and adult learners alike.
For events around the country, and more information, go to the 2008 National Year of Reading website.
November - Screen Reads
Explore the diversity of reading and writing; scripts, television and films.
Take part in the Big Bournemouth Read - see the events calendar
Love film, but like to 'read it before you see it'? The National Literacy Trust has a page of upcoming films so you can read it in advance!
TV tie-ins
Currently enjoying the BBC's adaptation of Little Dorrit? Want to read the book too?
Or if you prefer to read the book first, the BBC has announced that they are filming Andrea Levy's Small Island, an award-winning and critically acclaimed novel set in Jamaica and Britain during the Second World War, to be screened next year. Read it first!
Check our catalogue for books and/or films for your film and tv tie-ins.
December - Write the Future
Some write, others read, and technology is bringing reading and writing closer. The year ends with a celebration of all forms of writing.
The year so far...
April - Read all about it!
Read anything and everything, anywhere and everywhere.
Lark Rise to Winton (PDF 95 kb) celebrated the author Flora Thompson's links with Winton Library, with Olivia Hallinan, star of the BBC TV series, and launched the National Year of Reading in Bournemouth Libraries.
May - Mind and Body
Celebrate the links between reading and health in May.
To celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day (PDF 134kb) early risers met with Park Ranger Richard Hesketh at Tuckton Library.
Yoga teacher and author Hilary Carter (PDF 95 kb) talked about her book 'The 11:11 Code' at Westbourne and Tuckton Libraries.
Author Wilma Davidson (PDF 79kb) was at Kinson Library to talk about Dowsing.
June - Reading Escapes
Escape with a holiday read or look at how reading helps us escape into different worlds.
Desert Island Coffee Morning at Westbourne Library, Thursday 26th June. If you could take one book to a desert island what would it be?
Secret Pirate Island at Strouden Library on Saturday 28th June. Crafts, stories and colourings.
Jacqueline Wilson 'Secrets' at Strouden Library on Monday 30th June. Come and see actors perform a scene from the live show.
July - Rhythm and Rhyme
Celebrate poetry and lyrics from Shakespeare to Snoop Dogg.
Rhythm & Rhymes at Charminster Library. Rhymes and funny poems for you to read will be displayed around the library from 1st-31st July.
'Name that Tune' Coffee Morning at Charminster Library on Friday 11th July. Guess popular songs from lyrics and talk about music.
'Favourite Poems' Coffee Morning at Kinson Library on Wednesday 30th July. In conjunction with the Kinson Library Poetry Group, bring your favourite poem to share.
Poetry Coffee Morning at Westbourne Library on Monday 28th July, 10:30am - 11:30am. Bring along a poem to share.
'Italian evening with James Holland' (PDF - Will open in a new window). Join author James Holland at Strouden Library, Castlepoint on Wednesday 30th July at 7.00pm. Entry free.
August - Read the Game
Olympics and football season, the perfect time to build links between sports and reading.
The summer reading game is here!
Calling all children and young people -
on your marks, get set, go! down to a Bournemouth Library near you and exercise your mind with this year's sport-themed Team Read.
Take at look at our events calendar to find all the Team Read events happening at a Bournemouth library near you!
The game runs from now until September 6th.
'Chinese Tea Tasting' at Charminster Library on Friday 8th August, 10:00am-11:30am. Tea tasting a discussion on China and the Olympics.
'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines' (PDF - Will open in a new window) Join author Elizabeth Darrell at Winton Library on Wednesday 20th August at 10:30am
September - You are what you read
Celebrate and explore cultural, personal and local identities.
Heritage Talk Coffee Morning at Charminster Library on Friday 12th September at 10:30am. Jan Marsh, Heritage Librarian, will be giving a talk on family history and local heritage.
Boscombe Opera House Memories Coffee Morning at Southbourne Library on Thursday 18th September at 10:00am. Come along to see a presentation and a talk about the Boscombe Opera House project.
Local History Talk Coffee Morning at Westbourne Library on Thursday 25th September at 10:30am. Jan Marsh, Heritage Librarian, will be giving a talk on local history.
October - Word of Mouth
Celebrate storytelling, reading out loud, reading together and live literature.
Bookstart competition
Enter the competition to 'Name the Pirate' and you could win a lovely pirate puppet. Closing date is Friday 31st October. Entry form
Mask Making
A tutor-led craft activity for both parents and children which will link with our theme for October of Storytelling. You can join in the fun at Westbourne Library on Monday 27th October at 2:30 - 4pm or Tuckton Library on Friday 31st October at 2:30 - 4pm.
Scrapbooking
An interactive class for parents/carers and children, as part of the Family Learning Festival 2008. There are three sessions, the first is at Boscombe Library on Tuesday 28th October at 10:00 - 11:30am, also Springbourne Library on Thursday 30th October at 2:00 - 3:30pm and at Charminster Library on Friday 31st October at 2:30 - 4pm.
Magical Mystical Me
This Big Picture Party event is an imaginative family workshop with artist Heidi Steller to create unique portraits of participants as magical creatures. Also part of the Family Learning Festival 2008. For parents / carers and children aged 4+. Book your place at one of the four workshops - at Bournemouth Library on Tuesday 28th October, Strouden Library on Wednesday 29th October, Kinson Library on Thursday 30th October and Southbourne Library on Friday 31st October. All sessions will be from 2:30 - 4pm.
Treehouse Theatre
A Story Box session for children featuring the theme of pirates and the story of 'Sally and the Limpet'. There are two sessions taking place on Friday 10th October, so come along to Boscombe Library at 10:30 - 11:30am or Tuckton Library in the afternoon at 1:30 - 2:30pm.
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