A new project in Greater Manchester and Merseyside is enlisting school age volunteers to attract young people to libraries. The volunteers are looking to make libraries more popular with their peers by organising DJ workshops as well as gaming and photography clubs.
The CSV Young Voices project aims to involve 500 young people aged 11 – 18 in volunteering activities at three libraries in Widnes, Oldham and Moss Side, Manchester. Libraries no longer simply lend books, providing community rooms, free computer use and internet access. The official launch of the project will take place at Manchester Town Hall, Banqueting room between 6.30 and 8.30 on Thursday 25 October.
Increased access to libraries can help tackle child poverty in the UK. A recent survey by young people as part of the Dare to Care: Make time to help end child poverty campaign found 1 in 5 young people viewed not having books at home as a factor of poverty. Around 1 in 5 young people also felt not having access to a computer and nearly 1 in 15 believed not having a quiet place to do homework put children at a disadvantage.
Nathan Blackburn, aged 13 of Fairfield High in Widnes, is part of the youth steering group at Widnes library. Nathan says: “I think a lot of people my age think that the library is all about books and that can put them off but it’s the best place to get information for your homework, especially if you don’t have internet at home. Also if you’ve got screaming brothers and sisters then the library is a much better place to study. I’m helping make an advert which can go round schools to show young people the range of activities on offer at the library. We are hoping to organise a DJ workshop which I think would be very popular.”
Neelam Akram, age 15, volunteers at Oldham Library. Neelam says: “I help to run the art club as well as volunteer in the homework centre on Saturdays. I am also a homework helper in the Homework Centre on Saturdays. I have enjoyed doing voluntary work at the library and meeting new people and also working with the staff.”
CSV Young Voices is run by CSV (Community Service Volunteers) with The Reading Agency and the library services in Widnes, Manchester and Oldham, and is supported by the Big Lottery Young People’s Fund.
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For more information about the project please contact Ann Shackleton, Project Manager, on 07972 265 169.
Further press information Paul Donohoe, CSV Press Office on 020 7812 0033 pdonohoe@csv.org.uk. Latest press releases: www.csv.org.uk/press
Notes for editors:
1) CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. In 2006/7 229,869 people gave time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trained 12,309 people of all ages and linked 29,000 people to learning through BBC Local Radio.