A Cwmgwili library manager has offered his tongue-in-cheek thanks to Barack Obama after the US President appeared to steal his idea.
Steve Jeacock, Labour’s Carmarthen East and Dinefwr candidate for next year’s Assembly elections, instigated a scheme in Killay to ensure every primary school child in the area was made a member of the library.
The scheme won the Gold Award at the Welsh Libraries Marketing Awards and was adopted by the Welsh Government as a pilot project two years ago under the title, Every Child a Library Member.
It became a national project across the whole of Wales this year and has been championed in England by comedian David Walliams.
President Obama has now announced a similar scheme in the United States where all school pupils receive a public library card.
"I am delighted that the leader of the free world has taken upon himself to pinch my idea without asking,” said Steve.
“I will try and have a chat with him the next time he is in Wales.
“Obviously I am also delighted to see that England has decided to follow Wales and adopt this initiative.
“As the manager of a community library, I see first-hand the wonderful impact that reading has on children’s lives.
“By making every primary school child a member of their local library, we give more children the chance to benefit from that experience.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here