Press release: Judith’s Reading Room chooses East Lothian as the site of its new library

A new library for teenagers has officially opened in Cockenzie, East Lothian, after the town was selected by Judith’s Reading Room, the American literacy charity, as the location for its 107th library in its 24th country around the world.

Judith’s Reading Room has been working with Scottish Book Trust to bring its initiative to Scotland, where it aims to enrich lives by providing books to those that do not have access to them. The United States non-profit organisation identified Heavy Sound, located in Cockenzie, as the host of this new library space, and purchased 124 ‘must-have’ teenage graphic novels, as selected by Scottish Book Trust, to be delivered for the August opening.

This focus on graphic novels is informed by academic research* which has shown it to be a positive literacy ‘stepping stone’ to help reluctant readers in their discovery of the joy of reading.

Heavy Sound works with some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disconnected young people and adults, providing them with positive opportunities for further learning and future employment. Founded in 2015 by Jordan Butler, he saw the value in libraries and literacy through his own lived experience of homelessness, mental health, addiction, and involvement in the criminal justice system.

There are twelve public libraries in East Lothian, each serving approximately 9365 people, according to census data. With East Lothian Council suggesting that there could be gaps in local funding over the next year, and with Longniddry Library now opening on alternative Saturday’s rather than every weekend, it’s more important than ever that library spaces are protected, and Judith’s Reading Room will be an important presence to help bridge that gap.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘We are delighted to support Judith’s Reading Room as it brings its 107th library to Scotland. Scottish Book Trust shares the same ethos, of encouraging and supporting literacy by providing books to all, and we are honoured that Scotland has joined the 23 other countries that now have this space. If you are able to support Heavy Sound with books, you’ll be sure to be directing your charitable activities to those children who really need it most.’

Linda Bendle, CEO of Heavy Sound, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled that Judith’s Reading Room is supporting Heavy Sound by providing books that will enrich the lives of the people we support. Most of the people we work with have literacy challenges. We recognise the barriers this causes throughout their lives, and therefore aim to inspire and support them to become readers and writers.’

Cathy Leiber, president of Judith’s Reading Room, said: ‘The idea is to not only get these kids onto grade level reading but to instil in them a love of reading that will catapult them into a lifelong relationship with literature.’

Judith’s Reading Room

Judith’s Reading Room was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian who fought against censorship in libraries.

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to ‘enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.’ It has fulfilled that mission by establishing 107 libraries (& counting!) in 23 countries with over 133,000 books donated worth $1.4 million.

Its signature event, ‘The Freedom Through Literacy Award,’ annually recognises and honours champions of literacy from all disciplines - teachers, authors, educators, researchers, nonprofit literacy organizations - from around the world. To date, over $58,000 has been awarded to 71 champions of literacy from 18 countries.

Heavy Sound

Heavy Sound is a Community Interest Company (not profit) based in East Lothian, Scotland. It works with some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disconnected young people and adults, providing them with trusted relationships through which they can pursue interest, strength-based activity and learning that inspires positive opportunities for further learning and future employment.

Scottish Book Trust

Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes everyone living in Scotland should have equal access to books. Our work provides opportunities to improve life chances through books and the fundamental skills of reading and writing. Access to books and a love of books bring many important benefits from family bonding and advancing children’s learning, to unlocking creativity, helping employability and improving mental health and wellbeing. Scottish Book Trust aims to support all communities across Scotland, with particular focus on those who are vulnerable and under-represented.

Our programmes and outreach work include:

• Gifting books to every child in Scotland to ensure families of all backgrounds can share the joy of books at home, through Bookbug and Read, Write, Count
• Working with teachers to inspire children to develop a love of reading, creating innovative classroom activities, book awards and author events such as Authors Live with the BBC and our Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour
• Supporting and nurturing Scotland's wide-ranging literary talent, both emerging and established through our training, awards and writing opportunities including New Writers Awards
• Creating events to share books and connect writers with communities, including Book Week Scotland
• Providing support to people living with dementia and their carers through Reading is Caring.

In addition to the funding we receive from the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, we need the constant support of trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and individual donors.

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*”Teenage Reluctant Readers,” Young Adult Library Services, American Library Association, Summer 2005. Courtesy Ana Luhrs, Librarian, Lafayette College, Easton, PA