2026 is the National Year of Reading.
2026 is the National Year of Reading with the aim of making reading joyful, relevant, and visible across homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. See details below.
Published: 29 December 2025
Why?
Reading enjoyment is declining only 1 in 3 children and young people enjoy reading, and daily reading is below 21%, with the sharpest drops among boys, teens, and low‑income families. Yet reading for pleasure is strongly linked to positive educational, social, and economic outcomes.
The aim: make reading joyful, relevant, and visible across homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
When?
- January–December 2026 nationwide
- Public launch: mid‑January at 10 Downing Street
- Media launch: March, on World Book Day
How?
- A library toolkit and digital assets will be shared once available.
- A new Library website: live from Thurs 18 December
- Public website: available end of February
- Sign up to the National Year of Reading Public Library mailing list for updates.
- All information received will be saved here: Library – Operational Development – County Wide – National Year of Reading 2026 – All Documents
Who is the National Year of Reading aimed at?
It is a universal campaign encouraging everyone in the UK to read more frequently, in different ways; with targeted approaches reaching children, young people and families from disadvantaged communities.
Target Audiences:
- 0–5 year olds (targeting parents/carers)
- 10–16 year‑old boys
- Low‑income / disadvantaged families
Covers all reading formats: books, digital, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, poetry, song lyrics, etc.
Somerset Launch Event
- Friday 16 January, 2–4pm at Bridgwater Arts Centre
- Free tickets (booking required) – details coming soon
- Event includes:
- Premiere of four new films showcasing Somerset Libraries
- Author panel discussing their reading and writing journeys, with book signings after the panel
- Digital play session: VR headsets, 3D printer demo, and more
Who is managing the project?
- Led by the National Literacy Trust, sponsored by the Department for Education
- Public library delivery supported by The Reading Agency, working with Libraries Connected, CILIP, and Libraries Rising (new name for ASCEL – the national network supporting library services for children and young people.)
- Main contact for Somerset: Emma Mercer, Senior Development Officer
Useful links:
National Literacy Trust | UK Literacy Charity
Home page | Libraries Connected
CILIP: the library and information association