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5 February 2011
Last updated at 07:21 ET
More than 80 events are being held across the UK later in protest over threatened library closures.
The series of read-ins and storytelling sessions have been arranged at local libraries to bring attention to proposed government cuts to services.
Authors including Philip Pullman and Mark Haddon will be lending their support to Save Our Libraries day.
Some councils say that avoiding library cuts would hit services for vulnerable and elderly people.
More than 450 libraries and mobile services across the country are currently threatened with closure.
Supporter campaign Among the events taking place include a rally outside Bolton's central library and a flashmob book reading at Cambridge Central Library.
Musician Billy Bragg will be at an event in Dorset where library users will try and take out the maximum number of books to empty shelves.
Children's author John Dougherty will be attempting a mini-marathon "I love libraries" tour through Gloucestershire.
Glasgow-based children's author Julia Donaldson will deliver a statement of protest to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
The day of campaigning comes as The National Literacy Trust published research showing children who use their local library are twice as likely to be above-average readers.
Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, said: "In the UK today one in six people struggle to read, write and communicate, which can affect their health, confidence and employability.
"We are supporting Save Our Libraries Day and encouraging everyone to get involved, and show how passionately they feel about the importance of literacy and libraries."
Care cuts Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
His Dark Materials author Pullman has been particularly vocal over proposals to close 20 of Oxfordshire County Council's 43 libraries.
At a campaign meeting last month, he dismissed government suggestions that libraries should be run by volunteers as "patronising nonsense".
But in a letter to the Guardian, Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council said that Oxford authors' calls to exempt libraries from cuts "is a call to heap more cuts on care of the elderly, learning disabled and those with mental health problems.
"Have they thought through the impact of their messianic message about literature on the most vulnerable in our society?"
Oxfordshire County Council defended its proposed cuts to libraries, saying it, like other councils, has a requirement to make "significant financial savings" to its budgets.
'Totally unacceptable' The council also said its proposed savings level for libraries was in line with proposed saving levels for other areas of the council. Under the proposals, it would cease funding 20 of its 43 libraries.
A council spokesman said: "All local authorities are required to look at all services they provide to find savings that are needed.
"We have proposed to give the biggest protection to the Fire & Rescue Service and to Children's Social Care. However, judgements are required in other areas."
Doncaster may have to axe 14 libraries, which is more than half its branches. The town's mayor, Peter Davis, said he regretted having to cut funding to libraries, but said he was morally obliged to continue other vital services.
"Something that affects people's lives on a daily basis or turns them upside down completely, as you would if you closed an old folks' home, is totally unacceptable to me.
"Libraries are used by about 16% percent of Doncaster people and many of them not on a regular basis - it is unfortunate."
Are you taking part in any of the events? Is your library one of those threatened with closure? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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The series of read-ins and storytelling sessions have been arranged at local libraries to bring attention to proposed government cuts to services.
Authors including Philip Pullman and Mark Haddon will be lending their support to Save Our Libraries day.
Some councils say that avoiding library cuts would hit services for vulnerable and elderly people.
More than 450 libraries and mobile services across the country are currently threatened with closure.
Supporter campaign Among the events taking place include a rally outside Bolton's central library and a flashmob book reading at Cambridge Central Library.
Musician Billy Bragg will be at an event in Dorset where library users will try and take out the maximum number of books to empty shelves.
Children's author John Dougherty will be attempting a mini-marathon "I love libraries" tour through Gloucestershire.
Glasgow-based children's author Julia Donaldson will deliver a statement of protest to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
The day of campaigning comes as The National Literacy Trust published research showing children who use their local library are twice as likely to be above-average readers.
Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, said: "In the UK today one in six people struggle to read, write and communicate, which can affect their health, confidence and employability.
"We are supporting Save Our Libraries Day and encouraging everyone to get involved, and show how passionately they feel about the importance of literacy and libraries."
Care cuts Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
All local authorities are required to look at all services they provide to find savings that are needed”
End Quote
Oxfordshire County Council
His Dark Materials author Pullman has been particularly vocal over proposals to close 20 of Oxfordshire County Council's 43 libraries.
At a campaign meeting last month, he dismissed government suggestions that libraries should be run by volunteers as "patronising nonsense".
But in a letter to the Guardian, Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council said that Oxford authors' calls to exempt libraries from cuts "is a call to heap more cuts on care of the elderly, learning disabled and those with mental health problems.
"Have they thought through the impact of their messianic message about literature on the most vulnerable in our society?"
Oxfordshire County Council defended its proposed cuts to libraries, saying it, like other councils, has a requirement to make "significant financial savings" to its budgets.
'Totally unacceptable' The council also said its proposed savings level for libraries was in line with proposed saving levels for other areas of the council. Under the proposals, it would cease funding 20 of its 43 libraries.
A council spokesman said: "All local authorities are required to look at all services they provide to find savings that are needed.
"We have proposed to give the biggest protection to the Fire & Rescue Service and to Children's Social Care. However, judgements are required in other areas."
Doncaster may have to axe 14 libraries, which is more than half its branches. The town's mayor, Peter Davis, said he regretted having to cut funding to libraries, but said he was morally obliged to continue other vital services.
"Something that affects people's lives on a daily basis or turns them upside down completely, as you would if you closed an old folks' home, is totally unacceptable to me.
"Libraries are used by about 16% percent of Doncaster people and many of them not on a regular basis - it is unfortunate."
Are you taking part in any of the events? Is your library one of those threatened with closure? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
Powered By WizardRSS