Library visitors will have the chance to improve their body as well as their mind in February with the launch of Norfolk County Council's Love Your Library month.

Library visitors will have the chance to improve their body as well as their mind in February with the launch of Norfolk County Council's Love Your Library month.

Health and well being is the theme of this year's Love Your Library month, with bracing walks, fitness classes, dancing, massage and social networking among the special programme of events on offer at Norfolk County Council-run libraries.

Jennifer Holland, Head of Norfolk County Council's Library Service, said: "Love Your Library coincides with the launch of the National Year of Reading 2008 - a celebration of words in every form, aimed at encouraging all of us to find enjoyment in books. So what better time to see what's going on at your local library?

"From baby rhyme times and family story sessions to teenage book clubs and authors' visits, we host a huge variety of events which aim to encourage people to love books and to increase their confidence to read and learn."

Library membership is free and everyone who joins in February will receive a free jute bag and be entered into a draw to win a bike.

Highlights at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library include body pump, yoga and tai chi sessions on Saturday 9 February and a ceroc dancing display on Saturday 23 February.

Jennifer Holland explained: "For this year's Love Your Library month, we wanted to give people a helping hand to improve their health and well being. It's a great time of year to try something new and during February we hope our special events will inspire people to make positive changes."

The Love Your Library campaign starts shortly after a national survey has shown the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library to be the busiest in the UK, lending out more stock and attracting more visitors than any other.

Thanks to Norfolk readers' love of libraries, the flagship branch topped the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) survey, with 1,506,344 visitors coming through its doors in 2006/7 and 1,158,080 issues (including CDs and DVDs) being made during the same period.

As part of Love Your Library month, complementary therapies, such as reflexology, Indian head massage and reiki, will be on offer at Fakenham, Holt, Dereham, Tuckswood, Diss and Gaywood libraries, while visitors to Swaffham, Wells, King's Lynn, North Walsham and Dersingham will be encouraged to stride out on local walks. Harleston library is hosting a fencing display while visitors to Cromer Library will be encouraged to try body combat.

Sessions on internet social networking for the over 50s will also run and visitors will be encouraged to contribute to 'health and well-being pledge walls, where people can

put up post it notes about 'their resolution' towards improved health and well being.

For further information and to see whether booking is necessary, contact your local library or visit www.library.norfolk.gov.uk. All the events are free unless stated.

Local events are: Swaffham, Monday, February 4, 10 am -12 noon, love internet shopping - learn how you can shop safely and discover some of the best online shopping sites - everything from supermarkets to holidays. Contact 01760 721513.

Watton, Wednesday, February 6, 9.30am - 1pm, Body and Mind Morning - discover fun ways of keeping your body and mind active - whatever your age. Contact 01953 881671.

Swaffham, Monday, February 18, 10am - noon, Get in to the Zone - keep in touch with friends and family on a new social networking site especially for the over 50s. Contact 01760 721513.

Watton, Thursday, February 21, 11am -12 noon, Holistic Massage - a talk and demonstration by

therapist Krissy Marwood-Cross. Contact 01953 881671.

Watton, Thursday, February 28, 6pm -7.30pm, get in to the Zone - keep in touch with friends and family on a new social networking site especially for the over 50s. Contact 01953 881671.