Time to Read- Bookworms and Browsers to Benefit from Translink’s ‘Novel’ Idea - Press Releases - News - Translink
Time to Read- Bookworms and Browsers to Benefit from Translink’s ‘Novel’ Idea
28 January 2009:
Hundreds of books for passengers to borrow with launch of unique Book Club
Best-selling authors Brian McGilloway, Monica McInerney and Sarah Webb were ‘writers in residence’ today at the launch of a unique, new Book Club by Translink N I Railways and publishers Pan Macmillan.
Representing a completely new venture for Translink, the N I Railways Book Club will see hundreds of free ‘read and return’ books – including those of the three authors – available in stations and travelling on local rail and cross border Enterprise services.
The creation of the new Book Club forms part of NI Railways’ ongoing campaign to demonstrate that taking the train is a better way to travel. It is one of a number of ‘Time and Motion’ initiatives within the campaign to highlight a key benefit of rail travel - the free time it offers passengers.
Speaking at the launch Translink’s General Manager for Rail Services, Mal McGreevy explained,
“We are now carrying 11% more passengers on rail services compared to last year. Lots of factors have contributed to this growth, not only the cost savings rail travel offers, but importantly the fact that time on board can also be really productive and enjoyable.
“We are seeing more and more people take advantage of the free time rail travel offers to read, whether for work or for pleasure. Now, as well as giving passengers time to read, this new club will actually give them the books too - from‘ edge of your seat’ thrillers, to romantic dramas, to action-packed adventures and children’s titles. We’re also planning to include some audio books in our collection.”
Passengers can take the books home or on holiday to finish and then leave back, at their leisure, for others to enjoy.
“The success of the book club depends entirely on people getting into the spirit of the scheme and we are relying on passengers to help us keep it going – and growing – by returning the books, but also donating books they no longer want. With over 9.5 million passenger journeys per year, there is potential to have a really thriving, extensive library, with great books for all ages and interests.
“We would like to thank Pan Macmillan for its very generous donation of 300 books to help us get the Book Club up and running.
“Our employees are also getting in on the act by trawling their own bookshelves at home for titles to donate,” added Mal.
“We hope our new Book Club encourages people to make more time to read. It is a really beneficial pastime for both children and adults; it can help people relax and de-stress and escape to other worlds, and it also has great educational value helping to develop communication and creative skills.
“Whether people read for pleasure or for work, the everyday commute and the occasional, one-off journeys can be everyone’s ‘time to read’,” concluded Mal McGreevy.
Translink has placed dedicated bookcases at six key stations (Belfast Central, Great Victoria Street, Coleraine, Bangor, Carrickfergus and Lisburn) where passengers can return books, leave ones they want to donate and take others to read.
Each Translink N I Railways book has a special ID number in the inside cover which readers can use to log on to Translink’s ‘bookshelf’ on www.bookcrossing.com, where they can find out more about its travels, how others have reviewed it and make their own journal entry. The bookshelf shows all the titles within the Translink N I Railways Book Club and from which station they have been released.
Books cannot be reserved on www.bookcrossing.com. Once they have been released at stations and are picked up by passengers Translink has no control over where the books end up, and cannot guarantee the availability of particular books at stations.
For more information on Translink’s new bookclub log on to www.translink.co.uk/timetoread and for timetables and special offers log on to www.translink.co.uk or phone the Contact Centre on 02890 666630.
Ends
For further information please contact Keelin Kelly or Nicola Adamson at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email k.kelly@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editor
-Translink will supply audio books on request for passengers with visual impairment.
-BookCrossing is a worldwide craze with more than 737,203 people in over 130 countries coming together to share their passion for books.
-Sarah Webb's ‘When the Boys are Away’ stayed in the Top 5 Irish bestsellers for 5 weeks when first published in 2007. All her books have been Irish bestsellers and her latest book just released January 2009, ‘Anything for Love’ has been selected by Eason as their January Book of the Month.
-Monica McInerney's ‘Those Faraday Girls’ spent 4 weeks in the Top 5 and 8 weeks in the Top 20. Those Faraday Girls has also been selected as Book of the Month by Eason.
-Brian McGilloway's first book Borderlands reached the Top 5 bestsellers for one week and has since received some glowing praise from leading crime authors, John Connolly and Peter James. His next book Gallows Lane will be published in April 09.
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