Now in its 63rd year, Book Week is the longest running children’s festival in Australia and the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council libraries want as many young people to visit their local library and borrow a book.

Manager of Library Services, Jim Maguire said, “Our libraries have more than 25,000 children’s items including books, magazines, CDs and DVDs.

“Last year we issued 120,000 items to children and have 4,300 children under the age of 16 years registered as borrowers. If you are not a library member, now is the perfect time to join, Mr Maguire said.

“At each of our libraries in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton we have planned activities all through Children’s Book Week including afternoon teas and surprise packs and a Winter Warmers Pyjama Party.

“At Council we believe that by encouraging young people to join their local library, they will become life long readers which is very important, particularly during the school years, Mr Maguire said.

“Although it won’t be happening during Children’s Book Week, Australia’s leading young adult author John Marsden will be in the area and visiting the Port Macquarie Library on 23rd September. John says in primary school his teachers encouraged him to write and from age 9 he wanted to become an author. So you never know how many young people will be inspired to do likewise during Children’s Book Week”, Mr Maguire said.