Love is in the air as library marks Valentine's Day

Yet there is one love which unites us all - the love of a good book.

And, in this spirit, Barrow Library is pulling out all of the stops to remind readers everywhere that romance isn’t dead.

To celebrate February 14, staff have transformed the reception into a shrine devoted to the L-word.

Hearts hang from the ceiling, there's a special section devoted to love-themed reads, a box for users to post thoughts on Why I love My Library, and a wall covered in some of the most loved-up quotes in literature.

Cathy Fidler, community services officer at the library, said: "We thought it was a great way to encourage people to love their library, and celebrate a love of reading.

"It's not all about romance, I've picked out books for the display which look at other kinds of love."

The library has also teamed up with Mills and Boon - the number one peddlers of passionate tales - to mark Valentine's Day on Tuesday.

With covers featuring swooning ladies falling into the bulging biceps of a stony-faced bloke, and titles such as The CEO's Accidental Bride and To Kiss a Count , it's easy to see why the series of books have been the subject of much derision and mocking over the 110 years in print.

But the joke's on you, literary snob. Cathy says new titles are coming in constantly, and library users often take stacks out at a time.

"You can take up to 40 books out at a time so you often see people coming in and filling big great bags to take on their holiday," she told the Evening Mail .

"They're a simple, fun and easy read and they're always passionate and dramatic."

There is a huge section of Mills and Boon at Barrow Library, with a special large-print section and shelves filled with the different ranges - from medical, to historical, to fantasy. All carry one common theme - passionate love.

Emma Broadbent, community services manager at the Duke Street building, said: "I think there's this idea that it's only older ladies who read these books but actually it's a mix. And there's the odd man, too."

Karen Brodie, head of adult reading at The Reading Agency, said: “A partnership like this with Mills and Boon and public libraries is so important to help us engage more people in reading.

"Reading for pleasure has enormous benefits for our wellbeing and we are very excited to reach even more people.”

As part of its #RomanceOnTheRoad campaign, publisher Harper Collins has donated a series of titles - including Miss Bradshaw’s Bought Betrothal by Virginia Heath and A Forever Family for the Army Doc by Meredith Webber - to the library for free to be distributed within the community.

Some have already been handed out to residents of Combe House care home, Walney, along with a Valentine's card.

"We wanted to make sure that the people who might not necessarily have someone at this time of year got something," adds Emma.

And those who dismay at the state of romance in the technological age, where wooing comes via What’sApp and the language of love comes in emoji form, might find solace in the love letters which have been dug up from the library’s archives.

There are soldier’s messages to sweethearts from both world wars, and the 19th-century writings of a young Jock Rawlinson, of Duddon Hall, suffering from a bit of mother-in-law trouble long before Les Dawson was around.

For the big day on Tuesday, when Roose Library's creative writing group is hosting a special Lurrrrve presentation. Members have all tried their hand at romantic fiction and will read extracts aloud at the venue in Roose Road, Barrow, from 2.15pm.

Cathy said: “There’s a lot of emphasis on couples and romance on Valentine’s but we are using it to encourage people to go to their library, see what’s going on, and love reading.”

The message is clear. If you’re showered with affection or bathing in a sea of hopelessly single tears (just me?) this Valentine’s, there’s always time to show your library some love.