Book Aid International were delighted to be invited along to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Libraries, Literacy and Information Management event at the House of Commons on Monday 24 November, to celebrate the successes of the Year of Reading 2008. Chair of the APPG, Lyn Brown MP, spoke at the event about her passionate belief that libraries can and do make a difference to peoples' lives, a sentiment echoed by our own Clive Nettleton, who said:
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(l-r) Clive Nettleton, Ed Balls MP, NLT Director Jonathan Douglas and Lyn Brown MP |
"There is considerable debate in this country about the future of libraries and concern about the closure of public and school libraries, and the downgrading of books as their core. But at the same time there has been an enormous growth in reading and the purchase of books. However, in the 12 countries of sub-Saharan Africa where we work, the vast majority of people cannot afford books, and libraries, particularly community libraries, are crucial to ensuring access, especially for the poorest."
The event was a great success and attended by a large number of MPs who pledged their support for Book Aid International. Guests also heard from Secretary of State for Children, Ed Balls MP, and Jonathan Douglas from the National Literacy Trust, who highlighted the successes of the Year of Reading 2008 and the importance of literacy development in this country.