Oban Library will celebrate World Book Night on Wednesday April 23, with the focus on reaching people who don’t read for pleasure. Dozens of bestselling novels will be given away to new readers, including Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith, The Humans by Matt Haig, 59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman and Vengeance is Mine Inc. and other Stories by Roald Dahl.

People who are already keen readers will be invited to fill in a fun questionnaire, asking them if they could give any book to anyone in the world, which one would it be, and to whom would they give it.

The library is working with the council’s adult literacies team, and will remain open for two hours later than usual – until 9pm - and the lively evening will include a special performance by the Oban Library Readers Group, a love story from Pakistan, and two authors: storyteller Grace Banks and local author, Mhairi Livingstone Ross.

New library member, Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Community and Culture, Councillor Robin Currie, said, “World Book Night is committed to reaching people who don’t regularly read, and with this in mind the library will be giving away free copies of books chosen to appeal to and inspire people who have not yet discovered the sheer joy of reading.

“We are also encouraging people to bring along a copy of a book they would like to share and donate it for a new reader to take home and enjoy. We hope to be able to keep track of gifted books, to see where they end up.

“The library service in Argyll and Bute is the natural door to reading, learning, research and resources and we hope this taste of the world of libraries will encourage many more readers to come through those doors.

“Could I add that I’m now a new member of the library service having joined recently on my visit to the Oban Library.”

Although the event is free of charge, booking is highly advisable as places are limited. The event will start at 7:30pm and last until about 9:00pm when the book giving will begin and the buffet will open.

Since it began in 2011, World Book Night has created an extraordinary group of 46,000 volunteers, giving books away to over 2 million people. This will be a landmark year for World Book Night which has recently come under the guardianship of The Reading Agency: the charity with a mission to give everyone an equal chance to become a reader.

To learn more about World Book Night go to www.worldbooknight.org