World Book Night flagship and library events

Ben Aaronovitch, Matt Berry, Kerry Fox, Matt Haig, Adele Parks, Caitlin Moran and James Rhodes have so far all been confirmed to headline our World Book Night flagship events in London and Birmingham on 23 April 2014.
In a glittering celebration of the written word, audiences will be treated to exclusive readings and performances from some of our most celebrated authors, actors and musicians. Letters Live on World Book Night, which we're presenting in association with Canongate and the Southbank Centre, will include letters being read by an impressive line-up including Caitlin Moran, James Rhodes, Matt Berry and Kerry Fox with more to be announced.
The second flagship event will be held at the Library of Birmingham, a major new cultural destination that is rewriting the book for 21st century public libraries. Bestselling authors Ben Aaronovitch, Matt Haig and Adele Parks, who all have books chosen for the World Book Night 2014 list, will take part in a special evening of World Book Night live readings.
Sue Wilkinson, says: "World Book Night is one of the highlights of the year for us and for all our partners; this year it promises to be more exciting than ever. All over the country people are coming together to celebrate and share their love of reading. The generous tradition of volunteer book giving inspired and supported by publishers is being extended this year to include community book givers all of whom will give away a book of their own to inspire someone in their community to love reading. We hope that this, together with the events taking place in libraries across the UK, will ensure that 23 April is an evening we will all long remember; the night when many more people realise that everything changes when we read. "
Regional flagship events
In addition to London and Birmingham, we'll be hosting 13 high-profile regional flagship events at public libraries countrywide.
East of England
Tuesday 22 April, 6pm, Norwich Millennium Library, free event
'Poetry on Prescription' with William Sieghart. The evening will also include a community choir singing local folk songs and an open mic for local storytelling
Contact: Sarah Salmon on sarah.salmon@norfolk.gov.uk or 01603 774707.
Scotland (Glasgow)
Wednesday 23 April, Glasgow Mitchell Library
Author Karen Campbell will be visiting HMP Barlinnie. The library will be hosting an evening of book giving and an author reading.
Contact: Dawn Vallance on dawn.valance@glasgowlife.org.uk on 01412 872840
Scotland (Edinburgh)
Wednesday 23 April, Edinburgh Central Library
Evening with 59 seconds author Richard Wiseman. This event is now SOLD OUT but contact Annie to be put on the waiting list.
Contact: Annie Bell on annie.bell@edinburgh.gov.uk or 0131 242 8046.
North West England
Wednesday 23 April, 6pm, Manchester Central Library
Poet Tony Walsh will host evening. He and poet Steph Pike will talk about the World Book Night titles and perform some poems. There will also be a performance from Manchester band The Slow Readers Club.
Contact: Danny Middleton on d.middleton@manchester.gov.uk or 0161 234 1056
South West England
Exeter library staff will be taking to the street of Exeter gifting books to the public as they pass through Exeter Central Railway Station. Watch out for some special World Book Night themed flashmob dances performed by students from Exeter College.
Contact: Wendy Bloomer on wendy.bloomer@devon.gov.uk
South East England
Wednesday 23 April, 7pm, Woking Library, GU216EP, free event
Peter James, Salley Vickers and Nicholas Owen will be performing and helping to spread the joy of reading. There will also be music from the Royal Grammar School Guildford string quartet, storytelling with Pat Ryan and a free art workshop with Art Matters.
The event is free but you can book tickets via the Surrey libraries website.
Contact: Kay Hadwick on kay.hadwick@surreycc.gov.uk or 07816 452388
Follow Surrey Libraries on twitter for up to date information.
Yorkshire and Humberside
Wednesday 23 April, Pickering Library, 'Rediscover the Magic of Reading!'
For One Night Only film screening of chick flick with wine and chocolates. The author Linda Green will be reading and taking questions.
Contact: Heather French on heather.m.french@northyorks.gov.uk or 01609 536125
East Midlands
Wednesday 23 April, 7pm, Worksop Library, Free Event 'Girls' Night Out'
In Association with Writing East Midlands
Top fiction writers Kerry Young and Emma Lannie will talk live on stage about the books we love. So get the girls together and join us over a glass of wine for books, chat and laughter - the perfect ingredients for a girls' night out.
Call 01909 53 53 53 or visit the library website for more information.
West Midlands
Wednesday 23 April, The Hive, 'Library Circuits for Beginners'
The Hive will be hosting a free sports-themed evening with its very own sports circuit around the Hive, including some very special guests and a silent disco!
MEET Robert Llewellyn from Red Dwarf, cyclist Rob Penn and plenty of local sporting heroes!
BECOME a warrior with the Worcester Warriors, take on the indoor rowing challenge with Worcester Rowing Club or dance the night away with Worcester Racecourse!
TAKE ON 'The Hive 2014 - World Book Night Games' and WIN prizes including tickets to sports events, annual film club memberships, free DVD rentals, free books, free Hive goodies and much more...
Contact: Ruth Foster on refoster@worcestershire.gov.uk or 01905 766233
North East England
Wednesday 23 April, 7pm, Gateshead Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead NE8 4LN
Local author David Almond will be speaking, young Reading Activists will be sharing some of their favourite reads and there will be book readings, a quiz and book giving by Edition Book Givers and Community Book Givers.
Contact: Chris Myhill on ChristineMyhill@Gateshead.Gov.uk or 0191 4338420
London
Wednesday 23 April, Glass Mill Leisure Centre, 41 Loampit Vale, Lewisham, SE13 7FT
Lewisham will be hosting its World Book Night party in shiny new Glass Mill Leisure Centre directly opposite Lewisham Rail and DLR stations. This brilliant free night of spoken word and book championing will feature the World Book Night author Dreda Say Mitchell (Geezer Girls), as well as writers Sarah Mussi, Nadeem Masood and Sheila Bugler. The book-loving café on site, Rhubarb and Custard, will host a community book swop and sell healthy snacks and drinks through to full sit-down meals. The event is free to attend. 8pm start.
Contact: Alan Morrison on alan.morrison@lewisham.gov.uk or 0208 314 8027
Wales
Wednesday 23 April, Prestatyn Library
There will be two free events:
'Monsters in the Library' 6 until 7pm: an event for families with Dr Who writer Mark Wright, author of Who-ology. Come in costume as a Doctor or a monster - the best dressed family will win a set of Dr Who books (courtesy of BBC books!). Design a new Doctor Who monster or alien - bring your drawing or model - prizes to be won!
'Murder in the Library' 7.30pm: Dagger Award winning crime authors Margaret Murphy and Cath Staincliffe lift the lid on a life of crime.
Contact: Jane Purdie on Jane.Purdie@wrexham.gov.uk or 01978 298861
Northern Ireland
Verbal Arts Centre, Derry
7pm - 10.30pm
A host of local authors will be giving readings, and acclaimed writer Carlo Gebler will be taking part in a special Reading Rooms event at 7pm . Authors taking part include Bernie McGill, Kenneth Gregory, Brian McGilloway and Jennifer Johnston.
Some Lagan authors will be reading online and on screens in the foyer, WB Yeats will be brought to life with online readings in the library and the café will be open for refreshments. It is a totally free event and there will be lots of free books to be given away as well as a book swap shop happening in the cafe.
Get involved
Take a look at the libraries' own websites for more details of the flagship events.
Find out about further World Book Night events. Why not check if your local library has something planned?
This year for the first time there's a new way to take part in World Book Night, as a Community Book Giver. This means you choose - and provide - the book you give. It can be one you already own, or one you buy specially, new or second-hand. Registration is open until 23 April. Everyone who registers by 31 March will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three pairs of tickets to the Letters Live on World Book Night event taking place at the Southbank Centre. Read our prize draw terms and conditions.
Librarians, please tell us about the events you've got planned for World Book Night and we can help to promote them via our website and social media. Email details of your event to Ffion Dean