Renfrewshire receives thousands of books from Scottish Book Trust

Children, young people and families across Renfrewshire benefitted from a major donation of books.

The Scottish Book Trust gave Renfrewshire nearly 8,000 books to give out to children, young people and communities. It’s part of the trust’s national campaign to foster a love of reading, and widen access to books—particularly for those who have none—and improve literacy across Scotland.

The majority of books were distributed to schools, nurseries and libraries by Renfrewshire Council and OneRen. Third sector organisations Home Start Renfrewshire and the Renfrewshire Promise Champions.

Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, welcomed the donation. She said: “Developing a love of reading from a young age is hugely important to increasing literacy levels for our young people and communities. Having access to quality books is a key component and is why we support reading initiatives across our schools and communities, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Renfrewshire.

“On behalf of our children, young people and communities, I thank Scottish Book Trust for their significant donation of books.”

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of OneRen, added: “Reading makes a difference to peoples’ lives. That’s what makes this such a brilliant initiative, allowing so many more people across Renfrewshire to discover the magic of reading and the joy of a good book.

“Our team helped to sort thousands of books, which are an amazing addition to nurseries, schools and libraries across the region. I hope our children and young people enjoy them. Well done to all involved.”

Marc Lambert, chief executive of Scottish Book Trust, said: “We are more than delighted to be donating these books to the nurseries, schools and libraries of Renfrewshire. Literacy and a love of reading are fundamental attributes which the individual cannot do without in today’s society and bring huge benefits across the arc of a person’s life. That is why Scottish Book Trust gives away over a million books a year across Scotland, and why we are so happy to be able to support Renfrewshire in their initiative to ensure that children continue to have access to, and ownership of, high quality, entertaining and life changing books.”