Care homes and community libraries across Guernsey are receiving specially curated book bundles as part of the Guernsey Literary Festival’s ongoing commitment to community outreach.
Supported by Lancaster the initiative sees a selection of six books, chosen to reflect local stories, history and voices connected to the Festival, delivered across the island.
Titles in the different bundles include Operation Green Arrow, The Battle of the Newlands, Being Camilla, Looking Back to Alderney, Perotine, and the Festival’s inaugural Guernsey Short Story Anthology.
The Festival began last week and runs until Thursday 7 May, with more than 70 events and workshops happening from visiting and local authors across a variety of venues.
The book bundles are going to care homes and community libraries across the island including Blanchelande Park Nursing Home, Gardenia Lodge Residential Home and Rosaire Court, as well as the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Carers Group and Les Nicolles Prison, ensuring that more people can access and enjoy reading during the Festival period and beyond.
Paul Oliver, Managing Director of Lancaster said he was happy they could be involved.
“We are so pleased to be able to support this initiative and help share the joy of reading with people across the island. Reading can offer comfort, connection and a sense of escape, and we hope these books will be enjoyed and shared. It’s a lovely way to extend the Festival beyond its events and into the wider community.”
Claire Allen, Director of the Guernsey Literary Festival, said it was a great initiative to introduce this year.
“This is a really important part of what we do, particularly in the National Year of Reading. The Festival is about more than events, it’s about making reading accessible and creating opportunities for people to connect with stories wherever they are. We’re very grateful to Lancaster for supporting this and helping us reach more people with these books and to the Guille-Alles Library for their assistance in coordinating these events.”
The visits and book bundles are part of the Festival’s ongoing commitment to community outreach and includes as a visit to Les Nicolles Prison from the Festival’s Honorary Chairman, Sir Terry Waite, alongside sessions in care homes and community libraries with authors including Mavis Pope, Kelly Priaulx, Ken Tough, Jose Day and Jane Mosse.
For more information on the Guernsey Literary Festival, visit: guernseyliteraryfestival.com.