THE Isle of Wight Library Service has been busy spreading the joy of reading across the Island by handing out a free book of feelgood short stories, as part of World Book Night.

The service gave out 160 copies of 'Stories to Make You Smile' as part of the annual celebration.

All six Isle of Wight Council libraries had copies of the specially commissioned ten-story anthology to give away to their local community.

Written by ten bestselling novelists, the book includes short stories by Jenny Eclair, Vaseem Khan, Richard Madeley and Mark Watson.

Louise Emery, senior library and information assistant, said: "Each library found new and innovative ways to get more people across the Island reading."

At Sandown Library, books were given to Free Food in Sandown as well as ‘Operation Shoebox’, aka The Smile Club, who send shoeboxes of goodies to troops on duty overseas.

Isle of Wight County Press: Sandown Library senior assistant, Louise Emery, handing books to Val Lee, a member of Operation Shoebox (aka the Smile Club).Sandown Library senior assistant, Louise Emery, handing books to Val Lee, a member of Operation Shoebox (aka the Smile Club).

Lord Louis Library, Newport, shared their copies between Independent Arts’ Anxiety Café and the Congregational church in Pyle Street to share with their food bank customers and wider community.

Freshwater Library gave books out at The Gouldings and to the parents of local primary school children, while at Cowes copies were given to library customers to share with others.

Ventnor Library plans to share its books with the local anxiety café and the town's Baby Box group, while Ryde Library hopes to host a pop-up library at the local farmer’s market in September, subject to Covid restrictions.

Stories to Make You Smile can also be downloaded as a free e-book or audio book.