New ‘community library’ opened in Derry

A new ‘community library’ has opened in Derry after local people donated their old books.

The library, located Hillcrest House in the Top of the Hill area of the city, has won the backing of local residents.

Karen Mullan, manager at Hillcrest House, said: “I wanted to start up a community library to get more people reading and make use of all those books we have at home that we have already read.

“Before the summer we put a call out to the community and have received I think over 100 so far.

“We have operated a loan service so far, but working along with the Reading Rooms and SureStart we will be including a structured reading programme also for adults and children.”

Rachel Duffy, children and youth officer at the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry, was at the launch of to discuss the Reading Rooms project run by the Verbal Arts Centre.

Reading Rooms is a mobile shared reading programme that reduces isolation and anxiety, and promotes wellbeing.

Using a reading aloud and shared reading setting the programme encourages participants to share personal experiences from their past, sparking memories, stimulating new thoughts and provoking conversation.

It is related to short stories and poems selected in advance and tailored to the needs of the group by the project’s literary guide.

Ms Duffy said: “As a shared reading project we want to encourage a love of reading in people of all ages.

“I spoke about how members of Hillcrest House can become involved with Reading Rooms either as participants or training as volunteers through our accredited training programme, and we spoke about the benefits of being involved.”