LIBRARIES have been taken over by youngsters keen to learn and be creative.

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers from the Hampshire North district attended a takeover of libraries across Hampshire on Saturday, 9 March.

Kingsclere and Silchester Division were among the 3,500 Girlguiding members who attended the mass takeover at 36 libraries across Hampshire which involved sleeping over at the sites.

Girls from all sections had the opportunity to take part in creative, challenging and fun activities based on their favourite children’s fictional characters such as Paddington, The Hungry Caterpillar and Mary Poppins.

Alison Johnson, unit helper with 1st Tadley Rainbows, said: “It was great to see girls of different ages helping each other with the exciting activities.”

The idea for the sleepover came from Tadley Library staff member and volunteer leader with Girlguiding, Michelle Trevena.

She said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many excited Girlguiding members to our libraries to enjoy our books and facilities. We hope this will encourage more girls to join the library service and inspire them to write stories and perhaps books of their own in the future.”

A special ‘Library Takeover’ badge has also been produced, available for Girlguiding Hampshire members to mark the event .