Excellent total for festival’s latest book appeal

More than 6,000 books were donated during Derby Book Festival’s recent Children’s Book Drop – including almost 200 at the Derby City Lab.

Organisers of the festival’s most recent book drop, which took place in May, have reported that a total of 6,307 books were donated – 188 of which were dropped off at the city lab, which is inside Derby Market Hall.

The appeal calls on people to donate unwanted pre-loved children’s books at various donation points around the city, including Derby City Lab.

They are then redistributed to local youngsters who do not have access to their own books.

All the donated books will be shared among 16 primary, infant and junior schools, a nursery and seven community organisations in Derby

The city lab’s total was boosted by the generosity of law firm Rothera Bray and Derby Cathedral School.

In a statement, Derby Book Festival said: “Thank you to all the staff and public at Derby City Lab for helping us to spread a love of books and encourage a new generation of readers.”