Author champions magical drive to save libraries

A Scottish children’s author is championing a magical drive to help save public libraries during National Libraries Week!

Article Source: AH Proctor
Last Updated: 1 October 2018 17:29

AH Proctor is using the power of her spellbinding Thumble Tumble book series, which features in VisitScotland’s National Storybook trail, to remind people of the vital importance of libraries for wellbeing and bringing communities together. Dr Emma Ducklin (a chartered clinical psychologist) is supporting AH Proctor’s call.

Throughout National Libraries Week, AH Proctor, whose books follow the adventures of an extraordinary little witch on the enchanting Isle of Arran, will work with over 50 libraries to deliver a series of personal appearances and exclusive Thumble Tumble giveaways (including 150 books and 50 Scoffalicous chocolate bars) that encourage more people to visit their local libraries.

Explaining she said: “Libraries are absolutely vital to the mental health and wellbeing of all communities around Scotland. There really is nowhere else like them offering the peace, tranquility and the ability for absolutely everyone to be transported to magical worlds through the power of books. I’m heartbroken to hear of so many closures in recent years and want to do all within Thumble Tumble’s power to reverse this trend.

“This National Libraries Week, I’m calling on people across Scotland to visit their local library and help save Scotland’s libraries. I have been working with some of Scotland’s most extraordinary librarians to hide some magical tokens within Thumble Tumble books in libraries across Scotland from 8 to 13 October. The first children who find them will receive a real Scoffalicious chocolate bar fresh from the pages of the Thumble Tumble books. I will also donate a total of 150 Thumble Tumble books to libraries and make personal appearance in libraries throughout Glasgow and Ayrshire that same week.”

Supporting AH Proctor’s call and echoing the findings of research which has shown that the health benefits of using libraries saves the NHS just under £30 million a year, Dr Emma Ducklin, Clinical Psychologist and owner of Engage Psychology added: “It’s fantastic that AH Proctor is using her magical Thumble Tumble stories to help save Scotland’s libraries. Libraries serve a vital function as both a community hub and a safe, calm place for people from all walks of life to go to. Feeling part of the local community is important for people's emotional wellbeing and libraries have a crucial part to play in this.

“Often, when I am seeing someone for therapy, I check how much social support they have available to them - this is essential for good mental health and building it up can often be an aim of the therapy process. With their relaxing, neutral environments and a variety of free services and groups, libraries provide a unique and important lifeline to help people access this support. For this same reason, libraries are often selected by professionals to host various mental health initiatives. Libraries support the mental health and wellbeing of entire communities, for people of all ages and backgrounds - they must be protected and nurtured to ensure the continued wellbeing of our communities.”

AH Proctor concludes: “Mental health is recognised as one of the major public health challenges in Scotland, with the Scottish Government estimating that around one in three people are affected by mental illness in any one year. Saving Scotland’s libraries is vital to supporting the Scottish Government’s priority to improve mental health.”

The parents and carers of those who find the magical Thumble Tumble tokens are encouraged to share their finds on the Thumble Tumble Facebook page or by tagging in AH Proctor’s Twitter account - ah_proctor with the hashtags #LibraryWeek #LibraryMagic

To learn more about the adventures of Thumble Tumble and AH Proctor’s work with libraries visit: www.thumbletumble.co.uk