NEWS RELEASE: London 19 January 2017: The London Book Fair has selected global literacy not-for-profit organisation Worldreader as its Charity of the Year for 2017.
Founded in 2010 by David Risher and Colin McElwee, Worldreader aims to put libraries of digital books in the hands of children and families across the world. The company works closely with device manufacturers, local and international publishers, governments, education officials and local communities to help promote digital reading, especially in areas where books are a scarce resource.
As The London Book Fair’s Charity of the Year, Worldreader will exhibit at the Fair in March and receive extensive marketing support before and during the event. LBF will also provide Worldreader with year-long promotion on its website, and an opportunity to fundraise via a fundraising button online.
Hermione Ireland, Trustee at Worldreader, stated:
“Worldreader is thrilled to have been chosen by London Book Fair as this year’s Charity of the Year. The fair is such a big platform for us to reach and meet people involved in publishing and reading around the world; this opportunity will help us tell more people about our work and get them involved. There are millions of people with no access to books and with the help of partners like LBF, we’re reaching more of them everyday.”
Jacks Thomas, Director at The London Book Fair, commented:
“The important work carried out by Worldreader around the globe is truly admirable. The charity is quick to take advantage of increased mobile connectivity and technological trends to get digital books into the hands of those who need them most. The organisation’s inspirational work has allowed communities in some of the most impoverished and cut-off parts of the world to get unique access to a huge range of books.
Each year the charity extends its reach at an astonishing rate and builds relationships with publishers to keep its libraries fresh, exciting and appealing at a local level. We hope our delegates take time to visit Worldreader at LBF to learn more about how they are helping to boost global literacy levels.”
Monica Parle, Executive Director at First Story, last year’s LBF Charity of the Year, said:
“The London Book Fair provided a fantastic opportunity for us to raise the profile of our work at a critical time of expansion. First Story helps bridge the creativity gap by bringing talented, professional writers into secondary schools serving low-income communities to work with teachers and students to foster creativity and communication skills. The connection with the LBF allowed us to expand our supporter base and to create better links with publishers. This has enriched the long-term work we’re doing in 70 schools this year and the launch of the UK’s first ever National Writing Day in June 2017. Our work simply would not be possible without those who share our vision and ambition for young people, and by increasing our visibility amongst individuals and companies in the publishing industry, The London Book Fair enabled us to engage support in a vital business sector.”
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Media enquiries: Please contact Dani Freeman Midas PR, Tel: 020 7361 7860, Daniel.freeman@midaspr.co.uk
www.londonbookfair.co.uk
Notes to editors:
14-16 MARCH 2017
THE LONDON BOOK FAIR, OLYMPIA, LONDON
THE LONDON BOOK FAIR (LBF)
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Taking place every spring in the world’s premier publishing and cultural capital, it is a unique opportunity to explore, understand and capitalise on the innovations shaping the publishing world of the future. LBF brings you direct access to customers, content and emerging markets. LBF 2017, the 46th Fair, will take place from 14 – 16 March 2017, Olympia London. LBF’s London Book and Screen Week will run for the third year, with the book fair as the pivotal three-day event within a seven-day programme. London Book and Screen Week will begin on Monday 13 March. For further information, please visit: www.londonbookfair.co.uk
WORLDREADER
Worldreader is a global nonprofit that believes everyone can be a reader. The nonprofit provides children, students, and their families free access to its vast digital library via e-readers and mobile phones. Since 2010, over 5 million people across 52 countries have read from a digital library of over 40,000 local and international e-books on Worldreader platforms. Worldreader works with device manufacturers, local and international publishers, government agencies, education officials, and local communities to support readers everywhere. To read free books on your mobile phone, visit www.read.worldreader.org. For more information on Worldreader, please visit www.worldreader.org.
REED EXHIBITIONS
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer, with over 500 events in 41 countries. In 2012 Reed brought together seven million active event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organized by 34 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 44 industry sectors with trade and consumer events and is part of the Reed Elsevier Group, a world leading provider of professional information solutions. www.reedexpo.com