Brand new Book Bus inspires pupils far and wide across region
Children in Lancashire schools are in for a treat, thanks to Lancashire School Library Service's new Book Bus.
Packed with thousands of books, the brand-new vehicle has been heading out over hill and dale across our region, visiting schools far and wide on a daily basis since Easter.
The Lancashire County Council commissioned vehicle has gone to schools in locations including Bacup, Preston, Blackburn with Darwen, Lancaster, Trawden. Morecambe, Skelmersdale and even to the Yorkshire borders.
The exciting facility, which has access to over 250 000 books back at base in Preston, serves over 200 schools all over Lancashire and offers a diverse range of fiction and nonfiction, reflecting the very best in children's literature. The Book Bus can visit schools annually and it offers a unique reading experience for children and teaching staff.
It comes complete with expert staff, colourful displays, adaptations including a wheelchair lift to enable easy access for all children and knowledgeable staff on hand to guide children and inspire reading for pleasure.
Lancashire School Library Service offers a complete range of reading and library services, from resourcing book collections to creating exciting libraries and reading spaces.
Vicky Beeley, deputy headteacher at Woodland Community Primary School in Skelmersdale, where children were delighted to visit the Book Bus last week, said: "This is a wonderful experience for our children, and really helps to convey the joy of reading across to them.
"We have two school libraries in our school, and the Book Bus visit is a fantastic opportunity for our children to get the opportunity to develop their lifelong reading and cultural skills. The new vehicle is the perfect environment for them to become immersed in reading."
Dawn Child, support manager at the Lancashire School Library Service, said: "We provide high quality texts to support the development of children as readers and learners.
"We have a huge range of titles which can inspire even the most reluctant reader. Our visits and workshops are designed to interest, enthuse and inspire young readers of all ages, while our collections are personally selected to reflect curriculum requirements and ensure stock is age appropriate and relevant."
County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: "The School Library Service has been invaluable in supporting our schools. The expertise around library systems and book selection is already inspiring and promoting a love of reading right across Lancashire, where pupils are now reading for pleasure and enjoying the new books and their growing love of reading."
County Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for education and skills, said: "There is so much enthusiasm and interest in books and reading generally in our primary schools. Our School Library Service's new book bus is a wonderful way of helping to build high standards of literacy and build a love of reading among children across Lancashire."
To find out more about the Lancashire School Library Service and how it can benefit your school, visit About the School Library Service - Lancashire County Council.