NIACE Launch Adult Education Windfall in Book Tokens for World Book Day

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Colleges, hospitals and adult education centres look set to reap the rewards of a massive financial windfall ““ to the tune of £5 million.

The money has been distributed in £1 book tokens by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) in celebration of World Book Day, Thursday 2nd March 2006. Entitled “Quick Reads” and championed by a glittering multitude of the literary elite, the campaign is a major new initiative to encourage wider reading and includes authors such as Ruth Rendell, Maeve Binchy and Richard Branson.

A Love of Reading

“I have a love for reading,” explains contributor Richard Branson. “I believe everyone should live life to the full and have an open mind. Books can help you do that. It is incredibly exciting to be part of this project. I think it will open new doors for a lot of people.”

Each book has a maximum length of 128 pages and has been so designed to sway the opinions of those less inclined to pick up a hefty tome. Explains Alan Tuckett, Director of NIACE: “Quick Reads” will appeal to people who would like to sit and read a book but feel it is too daunting, too long and too complicated.”

It appears that the promotion of the diminutive works will be widespread. Mr. Tuckett said: “We have used our extensive networks at NIACE to reach a range of potential readers in a variety of different settings. “Quick Reads” will be a valuable tool in helping adult learners get to grips with literacy.”

Pleasure at Participation

Self confessed soap-addict and best-selling author Rowan Coleman agrees wholeheartedly. “I am especially pleased to be part of the next World Book Day initiative,” Rowan said. Especially when she met with a class of adult Skills For Life students. “All of them were looking forward to having a wider range of books to choose from that were especially for adults.”

Joanna Trollope, winner of the 1996 OBE for services to literature and best-selling author stills treats it as a normal work. “I shall otherwise be writing exactly as I always do. This commission is, in my view, no different,” she said.

The £1 book tokens are free and available to download here or here. The books cost £2.99 and are available from most supermarkets, bookshops and other outlets.

Vijay Pattni

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