Residents who have unwanted new or as-new books are being encouraged to donate them to people in their community who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present.
The Gift a Book campaign has been launched by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s libraries service for the third year running, which last year saw 850 books gifted via charities and other local organisations including Julian House, Somer Valley Foodbank and the RUH’s Hospital Education Service.
New or as-new donations of any type of book in any genre, suitable for any age are welcomed. The books can be paperback, hardback, audio or large print.
Donations can be made from today (November 13) until December 2 at the council’s libraries in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton, at Bath Housing, Welfare & Advice Service and at Love Weston Library, Radstock Library and Timsbury Community Library.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Last year’s Gift a Book campaign made a difference to Christmas for many people in our community. Thanks to our partners who help us to distribute the books, we’re able to run the campaign again this year.
“We’re asking anyone who has books you don’t need that are new or look brand-new to please drop them off at one of our libraries. Please bear in mind when donating how you would feel if you received them as a gift, which is why we can only accept books that look as if they haven’t been read and will be a joy for someone to unwrap on Christmas Day.”
The 850 books gifted in 2022 were distributed by Bath Welcomes Refugees, Somer Valley Foodbank, Julian House, PEOPLE charity in Midsomer Norton, Weston Welcome Café and Food Club, Oasis Pantry in Southdown, Radstock Foodies Club, Bath Mind, Bath and Keynsham Bright Start Centres, Hospital Education Service at the RUH, Bath City FC Foundation and Action for Children Children’s Centre in Twerton.
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Find out more about joining a library in B&NES at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/join-library-network