Ruth Rendell: "I always feel a thrill and a surge of hope when I hear of a new library being built, something which doesn't happen very often. Libraries have always been places of refuge and peace to me, havens where I feel at home..."

BBC Audiobooks are to made available as free downloads for libraries in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

The dagger is awarded to a writer nominated by library users and chosen by a panel of librarians. Closing date for entries is 11th April 2009. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Crime Writers Association's website or found in libraries.