Barnsley’s Library Service is marking World Book Day this year by inviting local councillors and members of the public to sign the Book Start Pledge on Thursday, March 1 or as near to the day as possible.

The pledge, which has been launched to mark 20 years of the Book Start scheme, asks people to share 20 books during 2012 as part of a campaign to get the nation’s families reading.

Cllr Jenny Platts, Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities, who has already signed a Bookstart 20 Pledge, told Barnsley Council's official website: “It is never too early to share books with children and libraries and the Bookstart scheme provide all families with the opportunity to introduce their children to stories, books and reading, giving them the an important start in life.”

Earlier this month Barnsley Central MP and Shadow Culture Minister, Dan Jarvis, was one of the first in Barnsley to sign up and the national supporters include well-known names such as HRH The Duchess of Cornwall; Coleen Rooney; Gruffalo author and Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson; and War Horse author Michael Morpurgo.

On World Book Day libraries will also be celebrating with activities and displays for the whole family, including ‘guess the first line of a famous book’ fun competition at Central Library on Shambles Street and visits from school classes and nurseries for story times.

Worlds Book Day is a great opportunity to discover what the library offers and join for free.

Anyone wishing to sign a Bookstart 20 pledge or find out more information can do so by calling into their local library or online at Bookstart.