Ready Reads extend to six more libraries in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Libraries’ hugely successful Ready Reads service, launched July 1, has been extended to six more libraries.

The Ready Reads service is available in Hemel Hempstead, residents can pre-order book packs based on their interests and then collect from Hemel Hempstead Central Library in The Forum.

Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “In just two weeks, library staff at our first ten libraries offering the pre-selected Ready Reads packs have fulfilled over 1,600 orders for an impressive 23,000 books.

"We are delighted with this response and from Monday 20 July we are extending Ready Reads to a further six Hertfordshire libraries.

“Visitors have told us how excited they have been to receive their packs and discover what’s included, and it has been wonderful to see families going home laden with their carefully chosen books.

"Ready Reads is the first step in re-opening our libraries and work is continuing to prepare our buildings for limited browsing and computer use.”

From today (Monday), Ready Reads packs can be collected from Harpenden, Hatfield, Hertford, Hitchin, Letchworth and Ware Libraries.

These six additional libraries join the ten already offering the service:

- Bishops Stortford

- Borehamwood

- Hemel Hempstead

- Hoddesdon

- Rickmansworth

- Royston

- St Albans

- Stevenage Central

- Watford Central

- Welwyn Garden City

Popular book packs include adult fiction - crime and thrillers make up over 30 per cent of all the adult fiction orders - and adult non-fiction - Amaze me – people and places make up over 36 per cent of all the Adult non-fiction orders.

There have been over 1,500 Ready Reads orders for children’s packs.