A multitude of dedicated venues
Readers have a huge choice of media libraries. Here, the network is as tightly knit as possible, and it's hard not to find a place to read and borrow books just a few minutes from home. The Eclipse multimedia library in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, ultra-modern and to be completely transformed in 2019, André-Cancelier in Sannois, Saint-Exupery in Franconville-la-Garenne, André Malraux in Ermont, Maurice-Genevoix in Eaubonne, Jean-d'Ormesson in Plessis-Bouchard, Georges-Pompidou in Saint-Leu-la-Forêt, as well as the Georges-Brassens library in Montigny-lès-Cormeilles and the annex to the existing library in Ermont. In these libraries, book clubs are open to all: regular meetings are organized for different age groups (8+, 11+ and adults). Last but not least, the media libraries' website(https://mediatheques.valparisis.fr) provides a handy list of books recently arrived in the various establishments! Another local innovation is the "Open +" scheme. Based on the principle that reading is a discipline that cannot suffer from time constraints, this unusual experiment is based on a simple principle: to give readers access to media library books during extended opening hours, via an automated access system. As a result, all users of the Val Paris media library network can, free of charge, visit the two establishments where the test is taking place (Eclipse in Cormeilles-en-Parisis and André-Malraux in Ermont) at times when the latter are closed. The former will welcome you until 10pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 9am to 10pm on Sundays and Mondays, while the latter's opening hours will be extended to 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 8pm on Mondays and from 9am to 2pm on Sundays. Important question: how do I get access? A single annual card entitles you not only to use the libraries, but also the mobile library. The cost is modest: €7 a year for adults who live, work or study in the Agglomération, or €50 for all others. Several categories are even free: young people under 18, students under 25 and those on minimum social benefits. Registration details can be found on the website. Loans are for one month, and for an unlimited number of documents. Other establishments not part of the network include the ludo-médiathèque l'Echappée, a huge futuristic vessel recently inaugurated in Herblay-sur-Seine, which allows borrowing of books (but not only), and offers a program based around various workshops and meetings. There's also the beautiful Les Temps Modernes media library in Taverny. Last but not least, for those of you who'd like to get your hands on a book for good, there are a number of quality bookshops in the area, most of them independent: take advantage of them!
A wide range of events
The region has no shortage of events to mark the literary year. For younger readers, the Salon du Livre Jeunesse d'Eaubonne is held over a spring weekend, giving young people the chance to experience their first literary thrills, as well as offering fun workshops and meetings with authors. The event is also the occasion for the Coup de Pouce prize. The aim is to support the literary creation of a children's author by promoting one of his or her first works. A book pre-selection committee is made up of teachers, parents, members of the Lire 95 association, members of the Institut International Charles-Perrault and librarians, and it's the little readers from the schools who make up the jury (with the help of teaching staff) at Eaubonne's Maurice-Genevoix media library. The winners are divided up into several categories: petites et moyennes sections, de la grande section au CE1, CE2/CM1 and CM2 à5e. In the end, the artists are honored and the youngest have developed their literary skills! On a different note, the Club des partageurs d'histoires (story-sharers' club), which offers regular exchanges on literary themes with local media librarians, regularly presents its favorites to adults at the André-Cancelier media library in Sannois. And authors are regularly invited to share, discuss, exchange or sign their works with the public: here again, the media libraries are the ideal setting. Literature is also expressed through short stories: in Bessancourt, a dedicated competition is organized every year. Over the years, the competition has become a must (it's been running for over 20 years), and is based on a simple principle: a theme is chosen, and everyone, whether amateur or established author, can send in their prose according to a given format. After several weeks, the jury delivers a verdict that is as eagerly awaited as it is dreaded! Last but not least, a number of venues offer a variety of readings: take a close look at the programs on offer, whether in public or private spaces.
How to find out
If you'd like to find out more about the region's literary events, there are several ways to do so. The first is to treasure the guide you're holding in your hands! Beyond that, the local media are effective relays of information on the subject; publications include the Gazette du Val d'Oise, the departmental version of Le Parisien or, even more locally, the particularly well-done website Le Journal de François (www.journaldefrancois.fr).
Reading outdoors
What could be more pleasant than escaping with a book? And while some of you may prefer to isolate yourself, others may prefer the countless parks and natural areas of the Val Parisis conurbation: you're spoilt for choice here!
