The importance of reading inspired the Gozo Public Library to organise two events to commemorate World Book Day which is internationally marked on 23 April.

The two-day events came to an end last Thursday afternoon with a seminar organised in collaboration with the Gozo College, entitled ?The Importance of Reading?.

On Wednesday 5 April, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono opened an exhibition of 1,000 new books purchased by the ministry for the libraries in Gozo.

Literary and archive material was also presented to the Gozo Public Library and National Archives (Gozo). The Ministry for Gozo donated a bronze relief of the recently-erected monument of Archpriest Saverio Cassar, showing the capitulation of the French in Gozo in 1798. Other donations were given by new graduates, non-governmental organisations, local publishers and authors.

The purchase of another 1,000 books by the ministry follows the acquisition of more than 16,000 new books for the same libraries since 1999. The new additions include academic books for reference purposes, light fiction for teenagers and adults as well as children?s books.

Books in Maltese and English constitute the bulk, although new books in foreign languages including Italian and French were also purchased.