Following the introduction of more stringent measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Books Council’s offices at Castell Brychan and our Distribution Centre in Aberystwyth are now closed at least until mid April.
Following the introduction of more stringent measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Books Council’s offices at Castell Brychan and our Distribution Centre in Aberystwyth are now closed at least until mid April.
A number of our staff are working from home as we continue to do all that we can to support the publishing industry in exceptional circumstances and ensure we come through these difficult times.
We are therefore able to continue to offer the following services:
• Strategic and operational leadership, which includes assessing the current needs of the wider books sector with Welsh Government.
• Financial advice and planning (mererid.boswell@books.wales)
• Processing of regular payments to the industry including publishing grants, support for editorial staff, support for writers and other freelance workers (arwel.jones@books.wales)
• Book editing services (huw.meirionedwards@books.wales)
• Design services (sion.ilar@books.wales)
• Promotion of books and reading for pleasure on digital and other platforms (mari.sion@books.wales).
You can contact staff in the above posts either through their work email addresses or via post@books.wales. Booksellers should contact their usual sales representatives.
Distribution Centre
The temporary closure of the Distribution Centre is of course a blow to our operations as an institution and for the sector in Wales and beyond. However, the health and wellbeing of our communities is a priority at the moment, and we need to pull together to support the efforts to halt the spread of the virus.
Our Distribution Centre will not be able to accept or deliver stock during this period so we are asking our publishers to postpone sending books, magazines and other resources until we re-open.
The Centre’s management team are available to answer any questions our customers may have and the best email address for queries is post@books.wales.
Tir na n-Og Awards
We will be pressing ahead with our plans to publish the shortlists for the 2020 Tir na n-Og children’s literature awards by issuing a news release on our website and through the media this Friday 27 March. Our intention is to announce the names of the winners in May but we have not yet set new dates, following the cancellation of the CILIP Cymru Annual conference and the Urdd National Eisteddfod where the ceremonies were due to be held.
Our industry, like others across the country, is facing truly unprecedented challenges and it is impossible to predict the scale and scope of the impact at this time. However, our central role and contribution to the culture, education and Welsh-language remain undiminished. For now, our focus must be on protecting our people and supporting our communities.
Keep safe. Be kind. And stay home to save lives.
HELGARD KRAUSE
Chief Executive
