Organisers of a novel scheme are urging Bradford businesses to barter books - and set up their own mini libraries.

Bradford Central Library is using National Swap-a-Book Day on September 7 to encourage workers in the city to exchange books and discuss their favourite reads.

Tom Palmer, Reader2reader project officer at the library, said: "We have decided to really go for this event and develop it to encourage people to set up their own lending libraries in their staff rooms at work."

And he said the first ten groups wanting to set up a library would be given a starter pack of six novels and a pair of free tickets to hear Louis de Bernires talk.

The author of the best-seller Captain Corelli's Mandolin will be in the city on September 6 to talk about his work, followed by a screening of the film version starring Nicholas Cage.

"The swap-a-book scheme is a good incentive to get people reading and it could also lead to people setting up their own reading groups," said Mr Palmer.

"We have lots of popular reading group books available for people to borrow, such as Chocolat by Joanne Harris and Zadie Smith's White Teeth, and we can give them advice on how to go about getting involved with bartering schemes."

Budding librarians will also be given stickers for their books and bookmarks.

Mr Palmer added that he hoped it would highlight the general benefits of libraries.

"When you're a child you go to the library a lot and then, for some reason, it fizzles out until you retire," he said.

"Bradford library has excellent resources - we have one of the best poetry collections in the UK - and if there's a book you want and we haven't got it in stock we can order it for you."

For details ring Tom Palmer on (01274) 754096, or e-mail: tom.palmer@bradford.gov.uk

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