Mayor of London to recruit ‘library champions’ to boost library services

£100,000 is being invested to develop the Team London 'Love Libraries' scheme, which will see people recruited over the next six months to help provide a range of library based activities in at least ten boroughs. This includes supporting Londoners of all ages with reading and literacy, helping to set up reading groups and people to get online, including for help with job searches, skills and education.

Libraries throughout the capital have been using volunteers to provide these services for a number of years already. The Mayor's new scheme will build upon this innovative practice.

Which has led to more Londoners using their libraries and more books being taken out. In Merton, for example, where they have partnered with the local Volunteer Centre and now have over 350 volunteers, library usage has risen by over 15 per cent and stock issues by over 200,000 in three years.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Public libraries offer a fantastic range of books to inspire and open minds, just as great Victorian philanthropists like Carnegie envisaged. Today they also can help with a host of other invaluable activities and services, such as reading support, free internet access and even help with job searching. Our Team London Love Libraries volunteers will help these great institutions share their valuable knowledge and information, building on the excellent work they already do and, I hope, strengthening their place at the heart of our communities.”

The Love Libraries programme is being delivered by a consortium of organisations made up of the Association of London Chief Librarians, the Reading Agency, and Chief Leisure Officers Association.

Mike Clarke, Chair of Association of London Chief Librarians, commented: “London's public libraries already benefit from thousands of volunteer hours every year but we think there is potential for much more. This isn't about replacing the valued paid staff, but adding value through reading, literacy and learning support, as well as the opportunity for people to give back to their communities or gain valuable work experience.”

Miranda McKearney OBE, Director of The Reading Agency: “The Reading Agency is really delighted to be part of this programme. Reading activities are a brilliant way to involve local people in working alongside libraries to create and deliver reading groups, author events and the massive Summer Reading Challenge for children. Young people who volunteer build their skills, confidence and employment prospects, and younger readers are inspired by their presence and support.”

Amongst the libraries applying to get involved in the Team London Love Libraries scheme is Shepherd's Bush Library, which the Mayor was visiting today along with Peter Andre. The popstar and children's author has just published a series of books for preschool children with Ladybird and earlier this year helped launch the Mayor's Team London Young Readers scheme, which will help children aged three to five and their families to develop literacy skills.

Shepherds Bush Library is in Hammersmith and Fulham, which is linking up with Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea to provide services across all three boroughs and will be amongst the first applying for funds to recruit Love Libraries volunteers.