WIRRAL’S libraries have been inundated with an “avalanche” of donations from generous residents following a local author’s campaign.

Margaret Murphy, whose crime novels have been translated into seven languages across Europe, made a plea for residents to donate their unwanted books to council libraries, unaware of the tidal wave of support it would receive.

Following her plea, libraries across the borough have been overwhelmed, with almost 2,500 books in a variety of conditions having been donated.


Ms Murphy, from Thingwall, said: “Books are such a joy. For many people, the intense pleasure of reading starts in childhood with a weekly outing to their local library, and continues throughout life.

“Every book donated represents a reading treasure shared, and the fantastic response to the campaign shows just how much Wirral readers appreciate their libraries.”

Councillor Chris Meaden, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Such is the generosity of Wirral people that libraries have been taken a bit by surprise by the avalanche of books that have been donated.

“I think this highlights the role that local people can have in supporting the library service in future, and also the important of local writing talent to Wirral’s cultural landscape.

“It is reassuring to know that we have so much support should we choose to do a similar campaign again in the future.

“We are very grateful for the donations we’ve received and would like to say a huge thank you to Margaret Murphy and the wider Wirral community.”