For the Love of Libraries: With Philip Pullman, Salley Vickers and Jacqueline Wilson

Authors bang the drum for libraries

Libraries, the treasure houses of our culture, are under threat. And yet they provide unparalleled access to a rich range of knowledge and imaginative experience.

Celebrated authors Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson and Salley Vickers talk about their passionate commitment to libraries, the role of libraries in their own writing lives, and their vital importance to children’s development and creative potential and to that of future generations. Chaired by Sue Wilkinson, Chief Executive of The Reading Agency.

In partnership with The Reading Agency.
Salley Vickers is the author of many acclaimed novels, including the word-of-mouth bestseller Miss Garnet’s Angel. Her latest novel is The Librarian. She attributes such success as she has been lucky to have in life to an early habit of reading.

Jacqueline Wilson is one of Britain’s outstanding writers for young readers. Known for her contemporary stories featuring characters like the enduring Tracy Beaker, she has also used historical settings for many recent books. Over 40 million copies of her books have been sold in the UK and they have been translated into 34 languages. Jacqueline was the Children’s Laureate from 2005-2007 and is the Chancellor of Roehampton University.  

Sue Wilkinson is Chief Executive of The Reading Agency, the leading charity inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to tackle life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. She is responsible for developing The Reading Agency's policy and strategy, and overseeing the delivery of their programmes in partnership with a wide range of organisations including publishers and public libraries. Sue read history at Cambridge and has worked in the public sector for most of her career. She is trained as a teacher and a museum educator; before joining The Reading Agency she was Director of Policy and Research at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Director of Government and Academic Liaison at Elsevier.