National Year of Reading 2026

The National Year of Reading 2026 is a UK‑wide campaign to help more people enjoy reading. It is led by the National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency, with support from the Department for Education.

The campaign aims to make reading a normal, enjoyable part of everyday life for everyone – children, young people and adults.

North Tyneside Council is proud to support the National Year of Reading and to encourage people of all ages to discover (or rediscover) the joy of reading!

Whether you think of yourself as a reader or not, our libraries have lots of resources available to help you harness the power of reading. Our digital library, BorrowBox, provides free access to e-books, e-audiobooks, e-newspapers and e-magazines. Just download the app from your app store and sign-in using your library card number and PIN.

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 13 libraries across North Tyneside.

Find out everything you need to know about our libraries by clicking the button below.

Community hubs and libraries

Go All In on reading

Go All In! is the national theme for the Year of Reading.

The campaign encourages people to see reading in a new way. Reading isn’t just about books, it includes all kinds of reading, from stories and poems to magazines, recipes, sports news and online articles.

Reading can help you explore the things you already enjoy, whether that’s football, fashion, films, food, music or history. The aim is to show that reading can fit easily into busy lives and modern digital habits.

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Why Does Reading Matter?

Reading for pleasure has many benefits. It can help people relax, feel happier and less stressed. It can spark imagination, build understanding of others and open up new ideas and experiences.

For children and young people, reading supports language skills and learning. For adults, it can be a simple way to unwind, learn something new or escape from everyday pressures.

Many people are reading less than they used to, often because there are so many other ways to spend time. The National Year of Reading is about reminding us that reading can be enjoyable, not a chore – whether it’s for a few minutes or much longer.

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What's on this year: events and book recommendations

May 2026

May is Local History Month so we’re focusing on local writers. North Tyneside is a hub for literary talent. It is home to a vibrant community of local authors and poets, with libraries and other venues across the area hosting writing circles, creative writing classes, and regular author events. While you may be familiar with local icons like Ann Cleeves (creator of Vera) and LJ Ross, our region also boasts a rich array of children’s authors - from household names like David Almond and Robert Westall to exciting new voices waiting to be discovered. To help you explore, the Schools Library Service and Education North Tyneside have created a curated book list and map featuring their top recommendations.

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