Rock the library

Rows of books made an unlikely backdrop for Area 51 as they tore into their set.

But the gig at Breightmet Library was music to the ears of Gay O'Donnell, co-ordinator of a project to woo readers aged 16 to 25 by dispelling libraries' stuffy image.

Statistics show that this age group are the least likely to enjoy reading, with a steep fall off in book borrowing as they reach adulthood.

Gay is under no illusions about the reason for their lack of interest. "They perceive libraries as places where only geeks go," she said.

Those results are borne out by surveys conducted among young people in the Breightmet area, where a project to boost reading is being piloted.

The Reading Lifelines scheme, funded by the Wolfson Foundation set up by Great Universal Stores founder Sir Isaac Wolfson, aims to change all that.

Starting in Breightmet, it is hoped the idea can be extended throughout Bolton with further funding if it proves successful.

Gay, the project's Bolton outreach worker, said the appearance by the band -- all pupils at Withins School -- on Thursday was only one way of making libraries more in tune with young people's needs.

She said: "It's a way of trying to shatter their image as places of hush."

Reading Lifelines aims to ask young people what they want from libraries rather than dictating to them.

And organisers have already spent £2,000 on 500 books chosen by 16 to 25-year-olds who answered the survey.

Their unconventional wish list ranged from gruesome true crime books about Jack The Ripper to stories from TV soaps.

Gay said: "If we don't take their views on board it will be to the library's cost. We are trying to go out to young people on their own turf rather than wait for them to come to us."

Other strands of the initiative include: A poster campaign on Greater Manchester buses featuring characters from Coronation Street, Brookside and Hollyoaks with the slogan "Everybody's Reading."

Introducing a 'mobile library' at Breighmet Youth Club on Thursdays with youngsters able to borrow books.

Meeting young parents at Breightmet's Alistair Ross Baby Clinic to encourage them to get back into reading.

Writing to lapsed library members urging them to come to an open day to see the changes made.

Stocking magazines at Breightmet Library in a bid to entice potential members through the doors.

Creating an Internet-linked CyberCentre at Breightmet Library, with free computer courses for 16 to 25s.

Children below the identified age group are also being targeted in a bid to catch them early.

Thursday's open day included an appearance by storyteller Clive Hopwood.

A group of pupils from Withins School were surprised by what they saw.

One 12-year-old girl said: "I thought it would be really boring but it's not. There's so much to do and the choice of books is much better than I thought."

Bolton is one of 18 North-west authorities sharing £216,000 in funding from the Wolfson Foundation. Funding expires in June but it is hoped it will be renewed. OUR SURVEY SAID: WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THE LIBRARY "It's old, smelly and small. It's about as exciting as watching paint dry."

"It's boring. There's no fun things to do."

"I checked the opening times but when I went it was closed."

"It's too boring. It's a dull building and it's dull inside."

"There's a good range of books available, especially horror."

"It was quiet and there was a lot of help to find a book." READ ALL ABOUT IT: WHAT THEY WANTED TO READ 1. Pop biographies -- including Geri Halliwell's "If Only" and the story of TV Popstars group Hear'Say

2. Other music books -- Hip hop, rap and guides to getting on in the music business were a hit.

3. True crime -- books bought include biographies of The Krays, Jack The Ripper and last hangman Albert Pierpoint.

4. TV tie-ins -- From Star Trek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Hollyoaks and The Royle Family, if it was on the box they wanted the book.

5. Graphic novels -- mixing cartoons and text, books ordered include a graphic novel version of Shakespeare.