IWC library hosts reception for World Book Night book givers

Chadwick Library, on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan College, hosted a World Book Night Book Giver reception on Wednesday, April 16, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The event was attended by Iowa Wesleyan College students, faculty, administration and staff as well as community members. Chadwick Library librarians and staff, who are also book givers, were present to educate the public about World Book Night, and some of the World Book Night titles chosen by library staff were also on display.

World Book Night is in its third year in the United States and will be Wednesday, April 23 ? Shakespeare?s 450th birthday.

Each year, 30- 35 books are chosen by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers. The authors of the books waive their royalties and the publishers agree to pay the costs of producing the specially-printed World Book Night U.S. editions. Bookstores and libraries sign up to be community host locations for the volunteer book givers.

After the book titles are announced, members of the public apply to personally hand out 20 copies of a particular title in their community. World Book Night U.S. vets the applications, and the givers are chosen based on their ability to reach light and non-readers.

The selected givers choose a local participating bookstore or library from which to pick up the 20 copies of their book, and World Book Night U.S. delivers the books to these host locations. Chadwick Library is serving as a community host location for local givers, receiving the books that they will be giving out and providing useful resources.

For more information about World Book Night, please visit http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/.