- Funding will be targeted at areas most in need to unlock
opportunity, support skills and learning, and reconnect people
with reading for pleasure
- Additional £1,000 cash prize announced for each of the five
English regional winners of The British Book Awards Library of
the Year
Local library services in England will benefit from a funding
boost of up to £150,000 as part of the National Year of Reading
2026, as the government invests in shared public spaces that
bring communities together and widen opportunity for all.
The fund is expected to support projects across 72 library
authority areas which are disadvantaged by high deprivation, weak
social infrastructure and low library engagement, helping ensure
that people in every part of the country can access the
life‑changing benefits of reading, regardless of income or
background.
Further to this support, the government will build on excellence
within the library sector by awarding a £1,000 cash prize to each
of the five English regional winners of The British Book Awards
Library of the Year to continue local reading projects,
celebrating the best of civic pride across England.
In addition to providing access to millions of books free of
charge, libraries offer opportunities for the public to learn new
skills, access education and support and forge connections with
their communities, playing a vital role in helping people improve
their prospects and supporting the government's drive for
national renewal.
As free, welcoming and trusted places, public libraries also help
address cost of living challenges through free access to books
and other material as well as free wifi and digital support,
reducing everyday costs for families and individuals while
ensuring no one is locked out of learning, culture or opportunity
because of financial pressures.
The National Year of Reading's aim is to combat the decrease in
reading for pleasure among children, young people, and adults by
encouraging a ‘Go All In' approach. This means embracing reading
in any format, from traditional books and audiobooks to digital
magazines and graphic novels.
Libraries Minister, said:
Reading opens doors to new worlds, sparks imagination and unlocks
new opportunities. The National Year of Reading is inspiring
people across the country to read and visit their local library
to make the most of the many services they offer.
Ahead of publishing our new strategy for public libraries later
this year, this funding will help our libraries reach even more
people in their communities, ensuring that everyone, regardless
of their background, can experience the joy of reading and the
benefits of our local libraries.
Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency said:
Libraries change lives. They are trusted, welcoming spaces where
children discover the joy of reading, and communities come
together and grow stronger. This investment from DCMS ensures
that libraries in areas most in need have the practical resources
they need to give the National Year of Reading real, lasting
impact - reaching new audiences, growing membership and sharing
the power of reading. Targeted funding can unlock
extraordinary results and we are proud to work with DCMS and
colleagues at the National Year of Reading to make sure the
communities who stand to benefit most are at the heart of this
national moment.
Alongside this, the Government intends to publish a new strategy
for public libraries later this year to restore their position at
the heart of communities and their pivotal role in improving the
lives of working people. This will highlight how libraries
support this government's Plan for Change ambitions to provide
opportunities for all and will encourage cross-government action
to ensure public libraries are fit for the future.
Notes to editors:
- The National Year of Reading 2026 is a joint initiative by
the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust.
