Following the fantastic events nationwide on 5th February 2011, a second National Libraries Day has been planned for Saturday 4th February 2012.
Last year, library users arranged events at every public library in Gloucestershire which was open on the day, leading children’s author and library campaigner Alan Gibbons to describe us as ‘a beacon to the whole country’.
One of the biggest attractions were the ‘Flying Authors’ who raced around as many Gloucestershire libraries as possible, entertaining the public with stories, activities and songs. Their efforts attracted the attention of the local media, national coverage from the Guardian and BBC, and even international exposure through National Public Radio (NPR), which broadcasts to around 30 million people across the USA. All this despite Councillor Hawthorne’s bizarre attempt to ban press from the events! Photos of all last year’s events can be viewed here.
This year the Flying Authors will take to the skies again!
John Dougherty, Cindy Jefferies, Chloe of the Midnight Storytellers, and Caroline Sanderson will all be taking part in library visits on the day, with other participants to be confirmed, and details of times and locations to be announced. Watch this space!
If you are an author, poet, storyteller or illustrator who could spare some time to highlight the value of public libraries in Gloucestershire, please contact foc.cheltlib@gmail.com so we can pass your details on to the local coordinator.
John Dougherty and Cindy Jefferies - two of last year's Flying Authors who will be participating again in 2012
Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries 
Interesting that you are expecting ‘The Flying Authors’ this year. I was told by Trudy in Tuffley library that none of them could make it this year. Have perhaps one of you got your wires crossed?
Hi Sarah. I have spoken to the National Libraries Day volunteer, and the Flying Authors won’t be getting round all libraries like last year due to constraints on their time. As ever, all the events are just being arranged by library users in their own time, so if you or others arrange something in Tuffley please let us know and we can spread the word through the blog/twitter. Best wishes, Demelza