National Year of Reading 2026 is a major government campaign to rekindle the UK’s love of reading. Led by the National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency, and sponsored by the Department for Education, it aims to make reading a joyful, meaningful part of everyday life for everyone - young and old - and to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure.
Go All In!
We want to spark a reading revolution. This bold campaign aims to rebrand reading in all its forms as socially meaningful and personally valuable - something for everyone. Reading is a great way to go deeper into your existing passions - whether it’s fashion, football, films, food. In today’s fast-paced, digital world, we’re making reading relevant, joyful, and part of everyday life.
Why does reading matter?
Reading for pleasure is powerful. It boosts wellbeing, sparks imagination, builds empathy, and expands your world. It nurtures curiosity, sharpens your mind, and it might even make you more creative or successful. Sometimes, the value is simply in the pleasure itself - escapism, laughter, or inspiration. But increasingly, fewer of us are making time to read. With so many forms of entertainment at our fingertips, reaching for a book can feel like a chore - something we should do, but don’t really want to do.
What are we planning and how can you get involved?
We'll be launching some special new initiatives, hosting events and really focusing on books and reading. To kick things off, we want to know your favourite reads - share a review with us here!
We'd love you to join the library if you haven't already, and encourage friendly and family to join. It's free, and you can join in person at one of our 37 libraries and community hubs across Leeds, or join online. Tag us in book posts on Facebook or Instagram @leedslibraries and share some library love!
Other highlights for Year of Reading include:
14 February to 8 March: Leeds Storytelling Festival
A family festival to enthral and inspire! The magic of storytelling unites cultures and generations. And for three weeks, it illuminates our city.
We launch the Festival with the incredible Likkle Lit Fest by Out of Many People, who are taking over Leeds Central Library on Saturday 14 February. A day of Black literature and writing for children and young adult readers – rooted in Black narratives, history and characters, told by Black writers, brought to life by Black illustrators, to be enjoyed by all.
19 February to 30 May: Story Explorers at Leeds Central Library
Take a fantastical trip to the far reaches of outer space, the depths of the jungle and the bottom of the ocean floor in a free family experience that we’ve created with the British Library.
5 March: World Book Day
23 April: World Book Night - Quick Reads book giveaway
6-14 June: Leeds Lit Fest
July-September: Summer Reading Challenge
July - launch of Leeds 400 - 400 years since Leeds got its first Royal City Charter.
