I’m really looking forward to judging the entries for Southampton Bitterne Library’s short story competition.
The theme is ‘Libraries’ and the closing date is Monday 31 July 2023 – and so if you haven’t submitted an entry yet, there’s still time!
Entries must be no more than 1,000 words and can be hand-written or typed, and submitted by hand or via email to elizabeth.pinchen@southampton.gov.uk or to andrea.withey@southampton.gov.uk.
The competition is part of Bitterne Library’s 60th anniversary celebrations – and there’s a £25 book voucher for the winner, to be announced at the 60th Anniversary Garden Party on Saturday 9 September 2023.
This competition is for over 16s, but there’s a children’s writing competition too, and you can find out more information for both competitions at Bitterne Library.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t belong to a library! As a child we had cardboard tickets, with one inserted into the borrowed book’s docket and kept inside the library, and the return date stamped inside a label inside the book. There were no online renewals, email reminders or self-service check-in and check-outs.
But what hasn’t changed is books on shelves! Whether it’s non-fiction or fiction and whatever the subject or genre, libraries are the most amazing source for information, entertainment, enjoyment. And today’s libraries offer even more with computers and internet access, groups and clubs.
And so much inspiration for those short stories! I can’t wait to read them.
Caroline Wigley 