Cheshire West and Chester libraries have come up with a way to help cash-strapped families save money and get kids dressed up for World Book Day this March.
They’ll be hosting a series of fancy dress swaps in February, to exchange costumes rather than buy new.
Council leader, Cllr Louise Gittins said: “Seeing primary schoolchildren in book-related fancy dress costumes every World Book Day has become a common sight in March but, with ever-mounting financial and environmental pressures, limiting new purchases makes more sense than ever.
“For the first time, many of our libraries will be accepting donations of fancy dress at the start of the year and hosting clothes swaps before World Book Day itself.
“What better way to share the fun, so you can play your part to save money and the climate emergency.”
Anyone who donates a children’s fancy dress costume will be offered a token which can be redeemed for another costume on either Saturday 11th or Saturday 18th February (between 10am and 12.30pm).
If a donor doesn’t want a replacement costume, theirs will be donated to someone who turns up on either Saturday who doesn’t have an outfit to swap.
All donated clothes must be clean, in good condition and suitable for primary school-aged children.
Any items which are not taken by the end of the last swap session will either be donated to charity or sent for recycling.
Participating libraries are: Blacon, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Great Boughton, Helsby, Hope Farm, Lache, Little Sutton, Neston, Northwich (temporarily at Weaver Hall Museum), Tattenhall and Winsford.
Libraries have warned they cannot guarantee a suitable costume will be available for every person on the day, but they hope the scheme will help families who want to participate in World Book Day celebrations.
As well as the costume swaps, Blacon and Ellesmere Port libraries will be hosting a ‘Pop-up Patch Challenge’ with volunteers who will be there on both Saturdays with their sewing kits to teach visitors the basics so they can have a go at repairing clothing themselves.
The patchers are also welcoming anyone who can already sew to join them and help out.
Finally, after World Book Day itself libraries will be exchanging £1 book tokens which every school child will receive for special World Book Day books on Saturday 4th March 2023 from opening time until 12.30pm.
(Opening hours may vary slightly between branches.)
World Book Day takes place on Thursday 2nd March 2023
