Central Library is to host a national flagship event to celebrate books and reading.
Reading Hack is teaming up with the BBC #Love to Read campaign - on Monday 24 October - to offer opportunities for young people to get involved in reading activities.
The free event, between midday and 6.30pm, features the chance to meet international best-selling author Samantha Shannon and take part in a number of reading hack activities.
The event will also give young people the chance to explore volunteering opportunities available for 13-24 year olds in Manchester’s libraries.
Samantha Shannon, author of the bestselling Bone Season books, will be discussing the hotly anticipated third book in her ground-breaking, dystopian fantasy series at a Q&A session for young people, sharing her writing tips and book publishing experience.
Participants in the day’s activities will be entered into a prize draw to win tickets to meet popular vlogger and YouTuber, Joe Sugg at a book signing event in Manchester.
Visitors will be able to try out 3D Doodle pens to create 3D art, shapes and sculptures.
Digital workshops featuring 'Reading Hacks' will also be held during the day. Reading Hack programmes are designed to inspire young people to read more and to become advocates for reading.
- SceneHack - running from 2pm - 3.30pm - allows participants the chance to bring their favourite scene from a book to life, using stop-motion animation.
- Hack in Six (5 - 6.30pm) invites participants to think of six words that describe the plot of their favourite book. During the workshop the words will be digitally combined with the book’s cover, using graphic design techniques.
These free creative sessions are always extremely popular and places are limited, so booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
Young volunteers will be running a number of activities at the event. Young people aged 13 upwards were encouraged to volunteer as part of the Summer Reading Challenge – an annual initiative to encourage children to read books and visit libraries to maintain their reading skills over the summer holidays - and more than 60 young people brought their enthusiasm and skills to Manchester’s libraries by volunteering over the summer.
Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman, said:
“Throughout the summer we’ve welcomed a number of new volunteers to our libraries as part of the Summer Reading Challenge and I’m delighted that many of them will be participating in this flagship event.
"Free activities like these can encourage and inspire youngsters to enjoy reading and discuss their favourite books. Getting actively involved with their local library also helps share their enthusiasm for books and reading with others."
The event is another way for children and young people to show their commitment to the citywide 'Read Manchester' campaign. A partnership between Manchester City Council and the National Literacy Trust, this year-long campaign will see events and activities throughout the city aimed at getting more children and adults to enjoy reading, and to raise awareness of the power of reading to transform lives.