DEVON County Council is encouraging residents to join its local library next week as part of a membership drive to celebrate National Libraries Day (February 9).

With a target of signing up 1,000 new members during this week, and a total of 3,000 new members during February, libraries across Devon will be reaching out to residents to take advantage of free membership and find out what they have been missing by discovering all the different things on offer — and its much more than just books!

There is a chance for new and existing members to win an e-book reader in a special prize draw, with two of the devices up for grabs — one for new members who join during the month and a second for existing members who get a friend to sign up.

As part of National Libraries Day celebrations, the council would also like people to tell them what they love about their local library. Heart shaped display boards are up in every Devon library, with special heart shaped stickers for residents to leave their messages on.

People can also leave their messages on Devon Libraries Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/devon.libraries">www.facebook.com/devon.libraries or post them on Twitter using the hash tag #lovemyDevonLibrary.

Throughout National Libraries Day, library staff across Devon will be taking to social media to share a 'behind the scenes' look at what goes on in Devon's libraries and the range of services on offer.

Facebook updates and regular tweets from @DevonLibraries (http://www.twitter.com/DevonLibraries">www.twitter.com/DevonLibraries) will show what is going on during the day, and they will be using the has tag #LovemyDevonLibrary to encourage other Twitter users to join in the conversation and share why they enjoy using their local library.

People can also find out what is going on at libraries across the country by following the official National Libraries Day hash tag #NLD13.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for the library service, said: 'Our libraries are important resources at the heart of our communities and play a much wider role beyond just lending books.

'They bring the community together by providing a space for people to meet for a range of activities, such as baby bounce and rhyme sessions and adult reading groups as well as provide access to all sorts of information, services and learning opportunities such as computers with internet access and meeting rooms to hire.

'They contribute greatly to the well-being of our residents and help form the basis of lifelong learning and National Libraries Day is an opportunity to celebrate the excellent job our libraries do, and encourage people who haven't visited their local library recently or ever to discover exactly what they're missing out on.'