A NEWPORT food bank held their first pop-up library this week in a bid to help children and adults in the community gain access to books.
Feed Newport, based in Commercial Road, has partnered with the National Literacy Trust to help get books to people who can't afford them.
Gemma Walker, manager of Feed Newport, said she the scheme was set up after she was contacted by the National Literacy Trust and the Books Council of Wales.
She said: “They asked us if we could give out some books to our clients, I also got approached by a lady at the National Literacy Trust about books.
“We will receive mixed boxes from them every month, as well as books from Welsh artists.
"If we can get books out to the community, we will, as a good read allows you to escape, especially with what’s going on now.”
The new pop-up library - the first of which was held on Thursday, August 4 - allows people to take two books each, with the National Literacy Trust providing a range of material for all interests. This included children’s, young adults and books for adults mixed between fiction and non-fiction.
Feed Newport will also be provided with reception starter packs for children who are starting school in Newport in September.
Ms Walker added: “We will be receiving starter packs at the end of August for parents to collect for their children, as we really want to help people who can't access libraries or afford to buy books.
“We are offering another section to the poverty sections that we already do as there is a market to help people with book poverty.
“They have provided us with a wide range to get us started and we will receive a box of free books a month and we will see how we go from there.”
She added: “My daughter loves to read a good book; she reads all sorts of books. I think reading is brilliant for children as it helps with their wellbeing and imagination.”
Feed Newport director Tariq Khan said he was pleased to launch the scheme.
“It is amazing, with the technology out there these days kids are watching and playing all sorts so by providing free books we are trying to encourage them to pick up a book," he said.
“Reading is how kids learn as they are the future, and this is the best way to start providing access to those books.
“It’s the six weeks holidays now and we have only just got started, we don’t know the future of libraries now as some are closing.
“Community hubs like ourselves are the community’s lifeline and this is one extra tool to help them have access to books."
The pop-up library will be held a Feed Newport's headquarters every Thursday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here