PUBLIC libraries across West Dunbartonshire have launched a ‘Read the Past, Imagine the Future’ campaign to celebrate the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 and encourage more people to visit their local library more often.

Read the Past, Imagine the Future, supported by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), is live in all libraries across Scotland until December 2017.

It aims to raise awareness among people of all ages to discover what their local library offers, including book lending, computers and IT facilities, CDs, DVDs, ebooks, newspapers and magazines, events, children’s activities, reading groups, reference material and employment support.

The initiative is linked to the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 and will promote Scotland’s rich heritage, history and culture of reading and writing through fiction, non-fiction and AV material.

Promotional stock will include local and national history and local authors, as well as material that focuses on Scottish heritage and depicts images and ideas of the future.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I welcome the launch of Read the Past, Imagine the Future campaign with the support of the Scottish Library and Information Council.

“The key aims of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology are to raise awareness of the depth and richness of Scotland’s past and also to encourage participation in activities during the Year.

“This campaign very much fits within that ambition and it is welcome to hear that this will encourage communities to make use of the range of services their local libraries have to offer.”

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive, Scottish Library and Information Council said: “We want to inspire people to visit their local library, pick up a book and discover more about the history of Scotland or their local area or expand their imagination through the possibilities of the future.

“Our libraries offer something for people of all ages. We want to connect people to the possibilities and opportunities at their local library, through our books, our people and our technology. We want people to know that their local library is a place for them to use the past to determine their future.”

Library users can also enter a Read the Past, Imagine the Future prize draw to win a £50 book token by submitting a book review, either to their local library or on Twitter using the hashtag #ReadThePast17.

More details are available in local libraries.

Your local library will be running the competition until Sunday, November 12.

Winners will be announced during Book Week Scotland 2017 (Monday 27 November – Sunday 3 December)