Last year's winner was Patrick Ness who was chosen for his book, Monster Calls.

BBC: DJ Simon Mayo nominated for Carnegie Medal prize

Last year, Patrick Ness's novel A Monster Calls, illustrated by Jim Kay, won both the Carnegie and Kate Greenway Medals for the first time in the awards' history.

BBC: Roddy Doyle up for Carnegie Medal

The opening event will see authors Philippa Gregory, Jasper Fforde, Jeanette Winterson, Patrick Ness and Jackie Kay appearing at St George's Hall, which sits alongside the refurbished library.

BBC: Lord Bragg, Roger McGough and Janet Street-Porter