Dress up and launch the National Year of Reading

Concord Library will do its bit to increase literacy and help children with their reading when it launches of National Year of Reading 2012 on Tuesday, 14 February from 5.30pm.

The library will come to life with all your favourite book characters as children are invited to come dressed as their favourite Alice In Wonderland character or other book character and enjoy an afternoon of fun, party games and food.

National Year of Reading 2012 encourages young and old to get into the reading habit and the City of Canada Bay libraries will be hosting activities throughout the year to support the cause.

Nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work.

There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers, follow a recipe, make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle.

The National Year of Reading 2012 is about children learning to read and keen readers finding new sources of inspiration.

It's about supporting reading initiatives while respecting the oral tradition of storytelling. It's about helping people discover and rediscover the magic of books.

And most of all, it's about Australians becoming a nation of readers.

A joint venture between libraries and library organisations around Australia, the National Year of Reading will focus on the benefits of reading for both pleasure and education.

Bookings are essential for this free event on 9911 6210.

More information on the National Year of Reading is available through the Australian Library and Information Association's website or from Concord or Five Dock libraries.