West Midlands Railway (WMR) is encouraging customers to spend their train journeys reading by launching a book borrowing scheme at three stations.
In the West Midlands, the National Literacy Trust reports that just over a third of children and young people (34.4%) say they enjoy reading in their free time, and only 1 in 5 (19.0%) read daily in their free time.
The new bookcases feature a mix of books supplied by the National Literacy Trust, an independent charity that empowers children and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed.
Available in time for October Half Term, the books can be borrowed for free from Erdington, Marston Green, and Northfield railway stations.
The installation comes as part of the National Year of Reading, a campaign led by the Department for Education in collaboration with National Literacy Trust and nine leading literacy charities to help people of all ages discover the joy of reading.
The three new libraries add to existing bookcases available across WMR and sister-brand London Northwestern Railway’s network, including Canley, Shenstone, Wolverton, and Berkhamsted.
Cara Higgs, community strategy manager at WMR, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the National Year of Reading by opening mini libraries across our network. There are so many benefits to sitting down with a good book, not only for your literacy skills but for your mental health too. We hope our customers enjoy the books on offer and look forward to bringing the scheme to more stations in the future.”
Erin Gilbey, manager of the National Literacy Trust in Birmingham said: “Access to books is essential in helping people discover a love of reading and the many benefits that come with it.
“In the National Year of Reading, these new bookcases will enable more children, young people and adults across the West Midlands to pick up a book on their travels and see where it takes them.”
Image credit: West Midlands Railway
