Warwickshire’s Library Service is a national bestseller when it comes to literary events, according to a report by The Reading Agency.
Warwickshire’s Reading Partners Event with author Alexander McCall Smith last Autumn has been hailed as one of the biggest crowd pleasers during the National Year of Reading. The Reading Agency’s report praises the way that library services such as Warwickshire are working with publishers to draw in huge crowds and reach people the book trade finds hard to engage.
The Alexander McCall Smith Event was organised by Warwickshire Library and Information Service, Warwick Words Festival and the independent bookseller Warwick Books last October. More than 500 people gathered at Guy Nelson Hall, Warwick, to see the author who is best known for his No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Ursula McKenzie, Chief Executive and Publisher for Little,Brown Book Group said: “It is wonderful that public libraries have become so ambitious and professional in their approach to organising talks for authors. Warwick Library organised a magical event for Alexander McCall Smith with an audience of 550. He enjoyed it more than any other reading he did that year, which, as anyone who has ever seen McCall Smith live will know, is saying something!”
Warwickshire libraries have a good track record. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently named the county’s service among the Top 10 most used in England and number one in the county council category. Alison McKellar, Audience Development Manager for Warwickshire Library & Information Service, said:“Libraries are changing with the times and this report highlights the ways that we are working with publishers and partners to encourage even more people to enjoy books.
“It is a great compliment to hear that Alexander McCallSmith enjoyed his time in Warwick more than any other reading last year and I should like to thank our staff, Warwick Words and Warwick Books for making this landmark event possible.”
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