Rennie backs 'Hidden Treasures brought to Life' Competition

2.37.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Jun 2007

Local MP Willie Rennie has provided parliamentary backing to the 'Hidden Treasures brought to Life' competition recently launched by the British Library. By putting forward a parliamentary Early Day Motion Willie hopes to raise awareness of this competition aimed at getting public libraries across the UK to look through their collections for the most deserving item to be turned into a virtual text. Four winning libraries, one each from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have their item digitalised using Turning the Page 2.0 software courtesy of sponsor Microsoft. The item will then be placed on the British Library website so that people from across the world will be able to view them.

Willie Rennie MP said,

"This competition has the potential to bring a wealth of local treasures to light and the winners will then be able to share online with an international audience of millions.

"It will also provide an excellent opportunity for members of the public to rediscover their local, as well as national, libraries."

The competition closes on Friday 29th June, with the winners being announced in September 2007.