Volunteers hand out freebies to mark World Book Night

A group of library volunteers shared the joy of reading by giving away 300 books to residents on Tuesday.

Friends of Barham Library (FOBH) handed out the freebies at Vale Farm Sports Centre in Watford Road, Sudbury, to mark World Book Night.

Thousands of books are given away for free across the nation during the evening.

FOBH was established in 2011 after Brent Council closed Barham library and five other reading rooms in the borough in a £1million cost-cutting exercise.

Cllr Paul Lorber, leader of Brent Lib Dems and FOBH member, said: “Friends of Barham Library continue to campaign to get the closed library in Barham Park reopened.

“Brent Council have done great damage by closing six libraries in the borough and it is now down to hard working volunteers to repair that damage.

“Books provide knowledge, information, fun, enjoyment and are great for sharing and this is why Friends of Barham Library were keen to take part in the amazing World Book Night event when hundreds of thousands of books were handed out for Free.

FOBH have opened a community library in High Road, Wembley, which is also a book shop selling second hand reading material, DVDs and music.

Funds raised by FOBH are ploughed back into their fight to reopen the axed branch.

The other closed libraries are Cricklewood, Preston, Tokyngton, Neasden and Kensal Rise.