Free books for those looking to develop English language skills

Following their successful bid to World Book Night (WBN) organisers, the council will be distributing free texts through their libraries to those looking to develop and improve upon their English language skills. 

Adult Learning Teams will support the libraries service in offering the books to groups that use libraries to develop their literacy and English language skills; including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), family learning and those taking functional skills courses such as English, Maths and ICT.

The book on offer is Carlisle's own M W Craven's popular detective story, The Cutting Season. 

WBN hopes to bring together those from different backgrounds to promote reading for themselves and for others. 

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Cllr Deborah Earl, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Local Communities, said: "Cumbria Libraries continue to inspire the people of our county to pick up a book and discover a love for reading, and this joint project between

Cumbria Libraries and Adult Learning will be hugely beneficial to those looking to improve their reading skills.

"Reading is proven to have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing for individuals. Improved literacy can also help to improve unemployment and the local economy, so projects such as this one can make a real difference to everyone in Cumbria," she said. 

For this year, WBN organisers have teamed up with the British Library to bring events on the evening that look to celebrate the joys of reading. 

On Saturday, popular presenter Bobby Seagull will be joined by Dr Alex George, Ayisha Malik, Dreda Say Mitchell and Lemn Sissay for a live discussion that will be livestreamed via The British Library’s website. 

WBN are also offering the opportunity for first-time audio book listeners to enjoy an audio book on them, via the website.  

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