NEW Gurkha recruits based at Catterick Garrison have been given a free book and an introduction to facilities at Catterick Library. 

Visits to the library are now a regular part of the induction programme of new Ghurkha recruits and are arranged by the library service in partnership with Captain Andy Chambers from the Learning Development Wing of the Infantry Training Centre.

The most popular of the giveaway books, provided by The Reading Agency as part of recent World Book Night celebrations, was former SAS sergeant Andy McNab’s Today Everything Changes.

This specially written quick-read is a great choice for building confidence in reading skills – perfect for the recruits in their third week of language training. In addition to receiving their free books, the recruits enjoyed a general introduction to the facilities which the library can offer, including books, audio books, DVDs and computers.

All recruits were signed up as library members with several taking away borrowed library books in addition to their free gift.

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire’s executive member for libraries, said: “Catterick Library has become a useful resource for the Gurkha recruits, and the book giveaway was a great occasion which all the soldiers appreciated. “This is a fine example of how North Yorkshire’s libraries will go the extra mile to support the particular needs of their communities.”