The Big Issue we love books and we believe in the power of words. Over the years we have campaigned against local library closures, supported literacy campaigns, and partnered with CILIP to lobby the government to plough sustainable investment into the future of libraries.
A key part of our commitment to getting the nation reading came in 2017 when we launched our Big Issue Big Book Giveaway, where we asked readers to nominate a group that could use some books. We sent out parcels of brand-new publications to organisations in need of them: from women’s shelters to men’s prisons, gardening therapy groups to primary schools, we were delighted to be able to help out.
And we have continued that work, reaching out to community libraries and reading groups that we spot asking for donations, or responding to anyone who gets in touch to ask if we can send some books their way.
In the past six months we have despatched boxes of books to groups including Barlinnie Prison and Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, Bream Community Library in Gloucestershire and Edinburgh Food Project.
We are always keen to hear of projects of all sorts that are giving people access to books, so if you know someone – or are someone – who would like to be sent some books, get in touch, tell us what you’re looking for and what you do, and we’ll sort you out.
How to get in touch
Email us at editorial@bigissue.com or you can tell us on Twitter: @BigIssue or on Facebook: @bigissueuk
