Press releases

Welcome to our press release section. Here you can read all about the things we have been up to by downloading our recent press releases. If you have any questions about any of our work then please Contact us. If you have a press enquiry then see Media centre.

Call for schools to support pupils to become enthusiastic readers

We have joined forces with the Booktrust and the National Literacy Trust in the fight to boost literacy levels among Britain's children. At a joint summit on 19 July 2012, championed by writer and former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, they called on schools to support their pupils to become enthusiastic readers in order to create a more literate generation.

A wealth of research shows the crucial significance of children reading independently and for enjoyment. It has even been shown to be more important for children's educational success than their family's socio-economic status (OECD, 2002), while National Literacy Trust research in 2011 found that young people who enjoy reading very much are more likely to read above the expected level for their age.

However, despite new Government and Ofsted recommendations for schools to focus on reading for enjoyment, a new survey commissioned by Booktrust shows that just over one third of Britain's schools (39%) have a policy in this area.

Viv Bird of Booktrust, Jonathan Douglas of the National Literacy Trust, and Miranda McKearney of The Reading Agency, issued the following joint statement:

_"We are united in our belief that encouraging children to read for enjoyment is a crucial component in the drive to meet the UK's huge literacy challenge. The schools minister, Nick Gibb, says that Britain's children still lag a year behind their counterparts in Europe. With literacy skills becoming more and more important for our economic success, the time for action is now.

"We welcome the increasing recognition of the importance of reading for enjoyment in Ofsted's Moving English Forward report and the Government's draft curriculum for primary schools, and will be working together to provide practical and inspiring support to help respond to this increased focus."_

Take part in the consultation and add your voice now.

Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson launches national Summer Reading Challenge for every child to read six books from their local library

At a photocall at Lewis Carroll Children's Library in London, Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson has launched the 2012 Summer Reading Challenge, which is organised by the national charity The Reading Agency and run in libraries throughout Great Britain from Saturday 14 July until September. The launch coincides with the publication of new research commissioned by The Reading Agency and carried out by Ipsos MORI, which found that less than two-thirds of parents (61%) of primary school age children have registered their children at their local library, or borrowed books to encourage their children to read. Read the full press release here..

Comment on Government £6million Library Fund

Miranda McKearney, chief executive of The Reading Agency, the national charity that works with libraries in encouraging more people to read more commented on the announcement made today by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey that the Government will set up a £6million Library Fund to support partnerships with arts organisations and trial automatic library membership for primary school children. Read full news release.

Libraries and Tesco Bank launch new summer literacy drive

The Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland launches its 2012 initiative today (Tuesday 19 June) to help encourage more school children from across Scotland to pick up a book for fun.

Each year the Challenge is based around an exciting theme which seeks to inject fun and creativity into reading to draw in and motivate primary school children aged four to 12 to read for pleasure. This year's theme "Storylab", takes them on an imaginative adventure based on the power of stories. Read full press release.

Reading Agency gives evidence at 2012 Commission on Boys Reading

The 2012 Commission on Boys Reading is a joint venture set up by the All-Party Parliamentary Literacy Group and the National Literacy Trust to explore and raise awareness of the problems associated with boys and reading.

The first evidence session took place on May 15 in the format of a Select Committee hearing, chaired by Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, at which Commission Members had the opportunity to put key questions to expert witnesses. The Reading Agency, along with organisations including OFSTED, UKLA, NFER, Dyslexia Action ,Every Child a Chance Trust, teachers and the authors Michael Rosen and Anthony Horowitz was invited to attend. Sue Jones, spoke on our behalf of the key role libraries have in getting boys engaged in reading for pleasure.

Using the power of the Summer Reading Challenge as an example she was able to show that although the NLT research found that 38.7% of boys are library users against 49.2% of girls, 43% of SRC participants in 2011 were boys. Boys participation in the Summer Reading Challenge is steady and reflects the importance, discussed at the hearing, of offering boys material which interests them and engaging them in conversations around their reading habits, which we also find in our Chatterbooks children's reading groups.

Young male Summer Reading Challenge volunteers who become role models for younger boys are also having an impact on the gender divide. The Commission will be making a series of recommendations later this year.

The Reading Agency and The Publishers Association Launch Digital Skills Sharing Programme

The Reading Agency and The Publishers Association, at a launch event on the 30th April sponsored by Nielsen, announced the creation of an innovative new digital skills sharing programme. The project will run until January 2013 and aims to provide library services with new digital skills and the confidence to innovate. The overarching aim is to help librarians develop and enhance digital skills, enabling the library sector to amplify its work with existing audiences and develop new audiences in diverse ways, appropriate to a C21st library service. Read the full press release..

Profile to publish The Library Book in aid of our library programmes

The Library Book.60x80.jpg * An all-star lineup of top writers in support of the Reading Agency's library programmes
* Includes original pieces by Julian Barnes, Stephen Fry, Tom Holland, Kate Mosse and many more
* Published for National Libraries Day on 4 February
* Buy your copy here
To give a donation to support our library reading programme please email your contact details
Read full press release.

Groundbreaking citywide 'Big Read' launches

Readers across Birmingham will get the chance to read and review Before I Go To Sleep, the award-winning debut novel from author SJ Watson, thanks to the ground-breaking Birmingham Big City Read initiative, which launches today (7 December 2011). Read full press release.

World Book Night targets prisons, libraries and hospitals, for 2012 1,000,000 books give-away

World Book Night Founder Jamie Byng laid out the charitable objectives behind the ambitious 1,000,000 books give-away initiative at a reception at 11 Downing Street tonight, which was hosted by Frances Osborne who has a personal commitment to literacy and reading in communities across the UK. Read full press release.

Profile to publish The Library Book in aid of The Reading Agency's library programmes

Alan Bennett, Julian Barnes, Stephen Fry, Lionel Shriver, Susan Hill, and China Mieville are among the contributors to The Library Book, to be published by Profile for National Libraries Day on 4 February. All royalties will be donated to The Reading Agency to help their work supporting libraries. Read full press release.

Book industry identifies libraries as 'fundamental' to future reading strategy: at least 40 new libraries announced for 2012

Leading figures from the publishing, retail and public sectors gathered at Waterstone's flagship store in Piccadilly last night to celebrate libraries' work with publishers led by The Reading Agency and to announce details of the book trade's support for libraries in 2012. Read full press release.

Children respond to disaster: new book launch

A new book tackling children's reaction to major world disasters is launched on 3 November 2011, at a special London event organised by disaster relief charity ShelterBox and The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to inspire more people to read more. Read full press release.

Andy McNab in special mission to celebrate reading success

Bestselling novelist and former SAS operative Andy NcNab thrilled workers at McVitie's Manchester yesterday (31 October 2011) when he visited them to sign copies of his new book Dead Centre, and celebrate their Learn 4 U Centre's success in winning the prize draw for workplaces participating in the Six Book Challenge. Read full press release.

2011 Summer Reading Challenge results: A stunning illustration of libraries' role in creating young readers

The huge public demand for libraries' work with young readers has been illustrated by the results pouring in from the 2011 Summer Reading Challenge, run by the library network with The Reading Agency. 780,000 children participated in this year's challenge across the country - an increase of 20,000 children from last year. Read full press release.

Six Book Challenge: improving skills and changing lives

The Reading Agency is calling for colleges, libraries, prisons and workplaces to reach out to those less confident adult readers who are most likely to benefit from its increasingly-popular Six Book Challenge, which launches its 2012 programme today. This comes as the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)'s new independent inquiry into adult literacy calls for more innovative work to help the five million adults in England who lack the literacy skills they need for everyday life. Read full press release.

Launch of the 2011 Summer Reading Challenge: Libraries unite to continue to tackle children's literacy

In a huge combined effort to encourage every child to enjoy reading, the public library network today launched The Summer Reading Challenge with an event at the House of Commons. Speakers included Nick Gibb, Minister for Schools, and author Michael Rosen. Ruth Mackenzie, Director of the Cultural Olympiad announced that the Challenge will be part of the London 2012 Festival. Guests gathered to show their support for libraries' contribution to literacy included some of the nation's best loved authors along with MPs, councillors, publishing industry figures, librarians and library campaigners. Read full press release.

Win Dawn French for your reading group

To celebrate paperback publication of her No 1 bestselling first novel A Tiny Bit Marvellous, Dawn French is launching a national competition which is open to all reading groups in the UK and for which she is FIRST PRIZE. The successful reading group will have the pleasure of hosting a session with Dawn and sharing their views of her novel A Tiny Bit Marvellous with her - in person! Read full press release..

The Summer Reading Challenge launched in Scotland by the new Children's Laureate

The Summer Reading Challenge in Scotland was launched today at the McDonald Road Library, Edinburgh by Julia Donaldson MBE, the newly appointed UK Children's Laureate. The Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge, run with libraries, is the UK's most successful reading promotion for 4-11 year olds and is being supported for the first time by Tesco Bank as part of their investment in literary programmes for children in Scotland. Read full press release.

Join Up and Join In Newly appointed Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson and author Michael Rosen rally support for libraries' 2011 Summer Reading Challenge

Official Launch date: Monday 18 July

The Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge, run with libraries, is the UK's most successful reading promotion for 4 to 11 year olds. Last year 760,000 children participated nation-wide with libraries and schools working closely together to recruit the children. This is a crucial time for library users and the newly appointed Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson and author Michael Rosen are leading the call to families and children across the UK to Join Up and Join In The 2011 Summer Reading Challenge. The Reading Agency has been selected as the only national reading partner for the Cultural Olympiad next year and as part of the 2012 Summer Reading Challenge the aim is to boost participation numbers nationwide to 1,000,000 children.

Read full press release.

MyVoice Roadshow coming to Church Street Westminster: Local young people invited to lead new arts project

Church Street Library is delighted to have been selected as one of five libraries across the UK to take part in the MyVoice Roadshow, a groundbreaking reading and writing festival led by young people.

The MyVoice Roadshow is the first of its kind in England. On 27 July 2011 Church Street Library will host a programme of fun, creative events, workshops, exhibitions and performances focused around reading and writing which will have been programmed and promoted by local young people.

Read full press release.

Publishers urged to support new youth-led reading and writing roadshow

The Reading Agency is inviting publishers to support the MyVoice Roadshow - its groundbreaking new reading and writing project created by and for young people.

The MyVoice Roadshow will be a week-long programme (23-30 July 2011) of exciting and creative events, workshops, exhibitions and performances focused around reading and writing. Five different library venues have been selected to host the Roadshow for a day - Weymouth, Great Yarmouth, St Helens, Sunderland and Westminster - reaching an estimated 4,500 young people. Read full press release.

Reading and career chances findings: response from The Reading Agency

It's great to see another piece of research (Oxford University British Cohort study) reinforcing the importance of reading for pleasure to social mobility. The OECD Reading for Change research in 2002 highlighted just the same things as the Oxford research and has underpinned a decade of crucial development work to inspire young people to read. Also in 2002, The Reading Agency was founded, with a fundamental belief in the connection between reading and social justice and the life-changing opportunities that reading can bring.

There are important links here to the current debate about the role of public libraries, and our investment as a nation in a strong library infrastructure.

Strong library provision for young people is crucial, especially in disadvantaged areas. Because, of course, not all families can afford to buy books for their children to read, whereas public libraries give everyone equal and free access to reading in all its forms. Other research (National Literacy Trust, February 2011) shows that children who use their local library are twice as likely to be above average readers.

At The Reading Agency we're working with public libraries on new ways to inspire children and young people to read for pleasure. Our work has a special focus on teenagers in disadvantaged communities. Our evidence shows there are some key success factors:

validating all kinds of reading - magazines, song lyrics, manga, texts. Too often young people don't think of themselves as readers because they don?t read novels
giving teenagers a sense of agency and ownership, so they are creating their own reading activities, choosing which writers to work with, spending library book budgets, volunteering to help younger children read
not assuming that the job of getting teenagers to read is only for schools. The public library has a crucial role to play, and there needs to be a joined up network of professionals - teachers, librarians, youth workers etc - working together
tapping into teenagers' interests and creativity, and making the links to reading

Programmes we run with this focus are getting results. To give just one example, 5623 young people have been involved in our HeadSpace project. Half of them were not previously library users, and 40% of them were at risk of exclusion. Yet 2415 of them took up leadership and decision-making roles within the project, and at least 309 of them have found longer term community volunteering roles.

We've just launched a new programme in 20 deprived communities called MyVoice, working with 20 library services. We'd love to hear from partners interested in working with us. MyVoice pulls together all our learning, and involves young people - through the library - in getting into reading and writing in very diffident ways. They'll be creating reading hubs, interacting on line, running reading and writing roadshows, and being mentored by writers.

Miranda McKearney OBE
Director
The Reading Agency

Reading takes centre stage!

July: Circus Stars: the 13th Summer Reading Challenge launches

Roll up! Roll up! Libraries across the UK are getting ready to introduce children to a summertime circus spectacle that will keep them reading throughout the school summer holidays....with the 2011 Summer Reading Challenge™.

And it's all free fun, which is top news for parents! The Summer Reading Challenge is just one of many exciting schemes public libraries are developing to help children love reading, gaining confidence and new skills. So mums, dads and carers, pop down to your local library and find out more! Read full press release.

New steps towards libraries' digital future

Call for reading group data for new website

This month independent charity The Reading Agency has been working with the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) on new building blocks for libraries' digital offer. Read full press release. Read full press release.

Julian Barnes wins David Cohen Prize for Literature 2011

Author gives Clarissa Luard Award to The Reading Agency to support literacy work with young offenders

The David Cohen Prize for Literature 2011 has been awarded to the English novelist, essayist and short story writer Julian Barnes for his lifetime's achievement in literature. The prize, worth £40,000, was presented by the chair of judges Mark Lawson at a gala ceremony hosted at the British Library this evening. Read full press release.

Launch of West Midlands public library health, well-being and social care offer

Public Libraries in the West Midlands launched a pioneering health, well-being and social care offer at NHS West Midlands' Patient Information Forum Partnership Event in Birmingham at the end of January.

The offer positions public libraries as key partners for the health and social care sector, advocating the important contribution local services are making to improving the health and well being of the communities they serve. The shift of responsibility for public health from the health service to local authorities makes this a timely rallying call for the positive health benefits libraries can deliver. Read full press release.

The Reading Agency announces new funding for libraries' work with disadvantaged young people

We are delighted to announce the success of recent funding bids to support libraries' work with young people in 22 local authorities through our MyVoice programme. This offers 34,500 disadvantaged young people new opportunities to engage with reading and writing, and to work alongside library staff to shape future provision over the next three years. Read full press release.

To read more about the full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Charity calls on prisons, colleges and workplaces to take new approach to tackling literacy

With one in six people in the UK struggling with literacy , The Reading Agency is calling for new approaches to tackling the country's skills problems. It is urging more organisations to sign up to its Six Book Challenge for 2011 and wants every prison and college to be using the scheme. Read full press release.

Young people speak out on volunteering and libraries

Has The Big Society debate forgotten about young people? Independent charity The Reading Agency has published new results showing how library and reading-based volunteering has massive potential as a springboard for involving young people in the community. And that it can help improve the skills, confidence and job opportunities of the next generation. Read full press release

World Book Night

World Book Night will take place on Saturday 5 March 2011.

The industry-wide initiative to celebrate adult books and reading will see one million free books given away on World Book Night by 20,000 passionate readers to other members of the public across the UK and Ireland. Read full press release.

Waterstone's and The Reading Agency announce new partnership

Waterstone's, the UK's leading bookseller, and independent charity The Reading Agency are to work together in partnership to build links between libraries and bookshops, it is announced today. The focus of the partnership will to be to raise the profile of books and reading across the country, by forging local partnerships that speak directly to readers that use bookshops and libraries. Read full press release

Arabic and Somali books showcase - Inaugural London event: Zaylai Books

In partnership with The Reading Agency, Zaylai books yesterday (29 November 2010) showcased its catalogue of Arabic and Somali books for librarians at Mayfair Library, central London. Read full press release.

MOBO winning star Akala performs at the British Library  

Award-winning hip-hop star Akala performed to rave reviews at the British Library in central London on 26 November 2010.

He had been joined by other prominent hip hop artists M K Asante and Saul Williams from the USA and Britain's Lowkey for a panel discussion about hip hop and the English language, during which a filmed contribution from legendary hip hop founding father KRS-One was also shown, which looked at the contribution that hip hop has made to the English language. As part of the discussion, Saul Williams performed poetry from his book "The Dead Emcee Scrolls" and received a standing ovation. Read full press release

Latest CIPFA figures

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) releases new figures that shows the UK's most popular libraries - with Norwich Library the country's most visited - and a rise in library volunteering. Read their press release.

Library 2020: Ten points from The Reading Agency's Roundtable 26 October 2010

The Reading Agency is currently holding a series of roundtable events exploring how best to achieve our mission of inspiring more people to read more. The first Reading Agency roundtable looked at how online gaming might help adults develop their literacy skills. For a video report visit www.youtube.com/readingagency.

Library 2020
For our latest roundtable, we drew together a broad range of contributors to discuss what could transform the library service at this crucial time. We specialise in helping libraries make more social impact through reading and want to inform how we develop this work, as well as a new Reading Groups for Everyone campaign, a digital development strategy with publisher and library partners and an extension of our work to involve the public in volunteering and shaping library services.

The debate that we had at this roundtable will inform our future strategy.

Roundtable contributors
Malorie Blackman, author
Sue Charteris, founding director, Shared Intelligence
Tim Coates, library campaigner
Rachel Cooke, journalist, The Observer
Jonathan Heawood, director, English PEN
Natasha Innocent, Race Online
Matt Locke, acting head of cross-platform, Channel 4
Neil MacInnes, head of library and information, Manchester City Council
Miranda McKearney, director, The Reading Agency
Stephen Page, chief executive, Faber & Faber
Katie Pekacar, policy adviser, Excellence, Improvement and Innovation, MLA
Lord Graham Tope, portfolio holder for libraries, Sutton Council.

We've picked ten key points among the many ideas that the roundtable contributors made about how the library service might move forward to 2020. Read full report.

Ebooks in public libraries - response to the Publishers Association statement

At The Reading Agency we have a long and important partnership with publishers through our Reading Partners scheme. Part of this has a digital strand, and we're exploring how publishers can work with libraries to take reader development work on line, with a special focus on shared digital marketing. We're holding a digital think tank about this later this year, and are working with the Society of Chief Librarians on plans for a Reading Groups for Everyone initiative which will have a strong digital element.

Stephen Page's speech at the Public Library Authorities conference brings a critical dialogue about the right conditions for e-lending right out into the open. We're obviously keen to see readers benefiting from a strong library e-books offer so we hope the Publishers Association and the main library bodies can build on the positive platform the Reading Partners scheme has created, and work together to thrash out the complex technical issues around e-lending.

We understand the publishers' position outlined this week is not a recommendation from the PA, but a baseline position to build on. It's clearly not where we hope everyone will end up. A solution for remote access has to be found which benefits readers, authors/writers, service providers and the publishers themselves, and we are still a long way from this. But publishers are actively trying to find a way to make e-books available to the public through libraries and we must build on that and keep talking.When we set up Reading Partners, it was underpinned by research which showed that readers both buy and borrow. Libraries offer a risk free introduction to writers, and readers often go on to buy. There is now a need for new research, looking at the relationship between e-buying and borrowing. Interested partners please get in touch.

It's worth reading the whole of Stephen's speech which has a much broader take on how libraries and publisher can work together. Our Director Miranda McKearney spoke on the same day about the importance of maintaining the momentum of libraries' work to modernize the reading service.

The future of public libraries

Publishers and The Reading Agency will unite today at the Public Library Authorities 2010 conference to emphasise the growth and social impact of libraries' new look reading service and how it can play a vital Big Society role. They will urge local authorities having to consider library cuts to prioritise this vital area.

Delegates at the conference will today hear from Stephen Page, CEO and Publisher of Faber and Faber, and Miranda McKearney, Chief Executive of The Reading Agency. Their joint speech will highlight the progressive work undertaken by libraries in partnership with publishers, which is now under threat as a result of the public spending cuts. Renowned authors will also be taking part in a series of events hosted by libraries, highlighting the importance of libraries in today's communities.Read full press release.

World Book Night: 20,000 passionate readers to give away 1,000,000 books

World Book Night, a major industry-wide initiative to promote reading, is announced on 16 October.

The inaugural World Book Night will take place on Saturday March 5 2011, two days after World Book Day. With the full support of the Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association, Independent Publishers Guild, The Reading Agency with libraries, World Book Day, the BBC and RTE, 1,000,000 books will be given away by "an army of passionate readers" to members of the public across the UK and Ireland. Read full press release.

Spooky horror launch for new HeadSpace Kinson

Young people from Kinson are invited to learn the skills of horror writing at a special event at the Kinson Hub, Bournemouth on Wednesday 29 September 2010 to mark the opening of HeadSpace. Read full press release.

MOBO winning star Akala to perform at the British Library

Award-winning hip-hop star Akala is to appear at the British Library in central London on 26 November 2010.

He will be joined by US hip hop legend KRS-One, and other prominent hip hop artists for a panel discussion on how hip hop has impacted on the English language. This will be followed by a live stage performance. Read full press release.

Six Book Challenge targets workplaces for 2011

The Reading Agency's Six Book Challenge has exceeded all expectations for 2010 and is focusing on building the scheme in workplaces for another record-breaking year in 2011.

With Skills Minister John Hayes having recently called on employers to encourage informal learning, evidence from the first three years of the Six Book Challenge demonstrates that it can engage adults in a new reading habit, improve their skills, motivate them to continue learning and get them sharing their experience with family, friends and work colleagues. Read full press release.

The future of libraries' support from The Reading Agency

At The Reading Agency we work to inspire people to read more and specialise in helping libraries radically modernise their reading service.

In response to the current debate on the future of libraries The Reading Agency believes:

If you dig deeper into the statistics about library use, a different picture emerges from the one of decline. It's not at all a straightforward picture of a decline in public interest and take up. Children and young people's use is steady, according to the latest DCMS Taking Part statistics. While CIPFA library statistics, May 2010, identify that children's book borrowing has risen for five years running and web visits have risen by 50%.

We must analyze what's working for the public and build on these successful trends. The evidence shows that where libraries offer a more dynamic, interactive reading service the public respond with alacrity. Two of The Reading Agency's most successful programmes the Summer Reading Challenge for children, and the Six Book Challenge for emergent adult readers prove this.

The best libraries offer reading groups and challenges, author events, baby rhyme times, and are working with a variety of partners such as adult learning services, health care providers, publishers, schools, fostering services and prisons to deliver value added and targeted resources. The social consequences of this more active approach are profound. The effort focused on changing the children's service should be applied to adults.

In tough financial times, we cannot afford to undercut libraries' ability to create a nation of readers, our literacy skills deficit is already too large. The scale of cuts means the library network is unlikely to survive in its current shape, so prioritizing and innovating will be key. The challenge is to scale up what's working, and support the development of a dynamic, modernised reading service, that captures the interest of the public.

We must not lose sight of libraries' radical social purpose. They are about creating a fairer society and vital community focal points. They help people become skilled readers, with major implications for their life chances. They should not be a soft target for cuts.

Read full Press Release

Six Book Challenge promotes benefits of reading

Ninety workplaces are now involved in the Reading Agency's Six Book Challenge - double the number who took part in 2009. With the support of unionlearn, The Reading Agency publishes today (Monday 12 July) a free booklet to celebrate the success of the scheme and spread good practice in running it. Six Book Challenge at Work: Unions and

libraries promote reading is being launched at the fourth annual unionlearn conference at Congress House, Central London. Read full press release.

Responding to cuts

There's no point pretending libraries will escape cuts. We are very concerned about the threats to the network and its crucial work to support reading. As councils reshape library services, we urge them to factor in the entrepreneurial, development staff capacity needed to engage with the local community.

We'll be exploring how we can help libraries work more efficiently. One of our trustees Nicky Parker is Head of Transformation in Manchester City Council. In a recent speech at the Remodelling Libraries conference she said "The Reading Agency is an important partner in every UK library authority. The Reading Agency is innovating and modeling new ways of working that is really making a difference to people's lives. It's training the library workforce, helping library services become more efficient by encouraging joint procurement and enabling major partnerships with stakeholders like the BBC and publishers.

"I hope The Reading Agency will continue to test the boundaries as we push library development and efficiency work and innovation nationally. These are the very things that encouraged me to become a Trustee in the first place. "

Library Support Programme

The mist is clearing in terms of the government's intentions on library policy. Various speeches about the Big Society have referenced libraries as potentially important players. Ed Vaizey, the DCMS Minister with responsibility for libraries, had hoped to create a Library Development Agency but there is no funding for this. Instead there will be a library support programme led by MLA and the Local Government Association.

We were delighted that Ed Vaizey said that he would like to involve The Reading Agency in this. We think we have much to offer as a model for helping libraries make more impact despite diminishing resources. We look forward to injecting our innovative approaches, and to finding the right way to support this important work.

It was great to hear Ed speaking warmly about our work at two July events, praising "the really impressive Summer Reading Challenge" and "absolutely fantastic Reading Partners initiative showing how libraries and publishers can enhance each others' work."

Performance by MOBO winning star Akala wows Toxteth young people at local library

Award-winning hip-hop star Akala played a special, invitation-only evening gig for young people at Toxteth Library on 13 July 2010.  Read full press release.

Is gaming a solution to the nation's literacy skills problem?

National charity publishes report calling for the gaming industry to harness its power to support adult literacy.

One in six adults in this country struggle with reading and writing - with major social and economic consequences. And yet millions play games every day which already involve them in reading and could help them develop their literacy skills. On 25 June we published a report on gaming and challenged the industry to harness its power to make a difference for those with literacy needs. Read full press release.

New statistics highlight public demand for library investment and modernisation

On today's publication of CIPFA's Public Library statistics Miranda McKearney, director of national charity The Reading Agency, hails the success of libraries' modernisation effort and changing role in promoting reading. Read full press release

Download Library statistics 2008/2009

The Reading Agency responds to primary teachers' survey on children's literacy skills

Miranda McKearney, Director of the Reading Agency, today (30 April 2010) urged parents not to forget about the huge resource that is the public library. Read full press release.

Akala launches pledge campaign for The Reading Agency

Award-winning hip-hop artist Akala is giving 10% of all pledges collected through an exclusive new campaign to The Reading Agency. This follows his work mentoring a budding young writer via the recent MyVoice - write or wrong? project, in which The Reading Agency was a partner. Read full press release.

News alert from The Reading Agency - 23 March 2010

Following yesterday's publication of the government's Review of Public Libraries, our director, Miranda McKearney, called for libraries' future to be led by public demand. She said:

"Unless it's clear what the public are entitled to they can't campaign for better local libraries. We think the Library Review's concept of a "core national offer" to the consumer is great, and is something we've been pushing for. Free internet access as part of it is critical.

"It's also a big step forward that the core offer includes reading groups and activities. The best libraries now offer a much more participative reading service with real social impact, and public demand for this is growing."

"The Reading Agency has some new campaigns about to start - to spread reading through volunteering, reading groups and health partnerships - which will provide concrete support for libraries in delivering this objective."

On structural issues, Miranda said:

"Structurally the Review is in danger of missing some tricks. At national government level library policy and finance is still split across two different departments."

On the proposal to create a new strategic body for libraries, she added:

"Beefing up libraries' national development capacity is important. But it would be criminal if the proposed new body wasted vital funds reinventing the wheel.

"We hope those setting up the body will build on new efficient ways of working established by The Reading Agency. Our shared reading programmes help libraries work together to give the public better value. And our partnerships with publishers, broadcasters and others are levering in new investment while improving what's on offer to the public locally.

The results from this work are illustrated by The Reading Agency's growth figures for 2009 which show the public's demand for new reading services:

725,000 children now taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge (up from 690,000 in 2008)
24% growth in number of Chatterbooks children's reading groups (now up to 566)
39% increase in average attendance at author events in libraries
32 publishers now involved in the Reading Partners consortium setting out to revolutionise the library/publisher relationship (from 5 in 2004)
27% increase in uptake for adult literacy initiative, the Six Book Challenge

Read the full government review at The Modernisation Review of Public Libraries: A Policy Statement

Bounce into Books with children from Yorkshire and Humberside . . . and help make Very Peculiar History in Yorkshire!

Bounce! Sales and Marketing Ltd in association with the public libraries of Yorkshire and Humberside are proud to announce the inaugural Bounce into Books Yorkshire and Humberside Children's Festival (8-13 February 2010). Read full press release.

Libraries and community health: new research project launches

Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has commissioned The Reading Agency and LISU (Loughborough University) to conduct a major new project looking at the contribution public libraries are making to the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve. Professor Neil Frude, who launched the original Cardiff Books on Prescription Scheme is providing expert support to the project. Read full press release.

Is your workplace ready for the Six Book Challenge?

National charities the Campaign for Learning and The Reading Agency have joined forces to inspire workplace reading for Learning at Work Day 2010 (20 May). The charities are inviting companies to take up the Six Book Challenge as part of their Learning at Work Day celebrations and be in with a chance of winning a visit from a top author, courtesy of Transworld publishers. Read full press release.

Chatabout: inspiring adults with literacy needs to join reading groups

The Reading Agency is delighted to announce the launch today of Chatabout, a unique new national network to support the growing number of reading groups for adults with literacy needs. Chatabout will help ensure that people who would benefit most from what reading groups have to offer will not miss out. The Reading Agency has a wealth of advice, support and resources for everyone working to engage and inspire adults to read for pleasure: they are invited to sign up now at www.chatabout.org.uk. Read full press release.

National reading charity calls for schools to take new action to combat summer reading 'dip'

All primary schools and head teachers urged to make more use of Summer Reading Challenge as tool to improve children's literacy.

New research shows that Challenge helps prevent summer holiday dip in reading attainment.

Read full press release.

Festival of Learning

Throughout October we've been supporting, in partnership with the MLA, the government's Festival of Learning to showcase how important libraries, museums and archives are to informal adult learning. We running writing workshops called Celebrating Real Lives that link to the BBC's My Story campaign and encourage people to contribute true stories to www.bbc.co.uk/mystory. Some of our Reading Detectives events have been filmed for the Festival and employees at Fox's Biscuits met Accent Press's Quick Reads author Lindsay Ashford at the opening of their new learning centre.

Nominated for Children's Book Circle award

We are very happy to have been nominated for Eleanor Farjeon Award by the Children's Book Circle. Winners announced on 17 November at an event at Penguin.

Reading detectives unearth some of England's hidden literary gems

Project discovers secrets of country's written past

Teams of sleuths from across England have spent the summer spent hot on the trail of their literary heritage and have uncovered some real gems in the process, from information on the lives of little known authors, to stories of family life and murder.

'Reading Detectives' from Cumbria, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Hampshire and Kent have been busy uncovering the literary secrets of their local area and events during October will celebrate their discoveries. Read full press release.

Libraries must innovate and work together to get through tough times ahead

The Reading Agency outlines its five-point action plan for change

In the face of public sector spending cuts and changing public expectations, The Reading Agency today (8 October 2009) calls on public libraries to innovate, take risks, form partnerships and involve the public in designing future services. Read full press release

Six Book Challenge: launching now for 2010

The Reading Agency will be offering a new blog, new materials, training and a prize draw as the adult literacy Six Book Challenge moves into 2010, its third year of life-changing activity. Read full press release.

UK libraries partner with Disney on family reading campaign

Public libraries have joined forces with Disney and its 5 Minutes More family reading campaign to promote the life-changing magic of stories and reading. During September they will both be inviting parents and carers to take part in the 5 Minutes More Challenge, by spending an extra five minutes a day reading or telling stories with their family. Read full press relsease.

The Reading Agency: a new home and new trustees

The Reading Agency is delighted to announce that it is now based at Free Word Centre for literacy, literature and free expression. It is also excited this month to welcome new members to The Reading Agency's board of trustees, who bring with them a wealth of ideas and experience. Read full press release.

Reading at work: changing lives

Trade unions and public library services can share innovative approaches to encouraging reading in the workplace through a new Reading Agency publication, which outlines how it can be a powerful force for social change. Read full press release.

Chatterbooks unveils new-look materials

The Reading Agency today unveils its new range of Chatterbooks materials, designed to help libraries across the UK develop children's reading groups through the shared Chatterbooks network. As Chatterbooks moves into its eighth successful year with an ever-growing number of children taking part, the materials have been redesigned by children's illustrator Andy Ward, working with Chatterbooks members feeding in their ideas to the design process. Read full press release.

Major new children's reading promotion Spotlight launches

In May 2009, the Reading Agency is launching Spotlight, a major new children's reading promotion, in collaboration with Children's Reading Partners, the library/publishing consortium. Spotlight is the result of an unprecedented cross-industry collaboration, drawing on the expertise of children's librarians to highlight the very best that children's publishing has to offer. Read full press release.

New national reading group network in development

The Reading Agency is planning to develop a national network called Chatabout to support the growing number of reading groups for new adult readers. It is keen to hear from potential funders or sponsors and from those already running groups of this kind. Read full press release.

Great end of year results for The Reading Agency and libraries

As the National Year of Reading draws to a close, The Reading Agency is delighted to announce major 2008 successes in its mission to inspire more people to read more. It congratulates its library partners on making big strides in developing powerful national reading programmes. Read full press release.

New chair for The Reading Agency: Liz Cleaver of BBC Learning

The Reading Agency is delighted to announce that its new chair will be Liz Cleaver, Controller of BBC Learning. Liz takes over from Martin Molloy in March 2009. Read full press release.

Chatterbooks enters new phase

Chatterbooks, the UK wide network of children's reading groups, is celebrating seven years of award-winning work, and announcing new 2009 plans.

From January 2009 The Reading Agency will be taking Chatterbooks forward with a new look, consulting with Chatterbooks members about new materials, offering reading promotions through an exciting new partnership with children's publishers, and trialling new approaches to developing children's reading confidence including working with digital media. Read full press release.

Chatterbooks enters new phase

Chatterbooks, the UK wide network of children's reading groups, is celebrating seven years of award-winning work, and announcing new 2009 plans.

Chatterbooks enters new phase

Chatterbooks, the UK wide network of children's reading groups, is celebrating seven years of award-winning work, and announcing new 2009 plans.

groupthing.org: engaging young people with reading

Major new website available for subscriber enquiries
A new website where young people creatively engage with reading and words goes into the final stages of development in November. groupthing.org is our major new initiative that we are developing with young people. Libraries, schools and youth groups are invited to subscribe now so they can get special subscription rates, time to put content onto the site before it goes live in January 2009 and a free promotional print pack. Read full press release.

Library reading groups: explosion in membership

New research shows groups thriving and diversifying

In the first week of the government's modernisation review of libraries, The Reading Agency has released new research into library reading groups. It shows that the number of groups in England and Wales has risen by 149 per cent in the last four years. There are now roughly 10,000 library-linked reading groups in England and Wales, providing 100,000 people with new reading opportunities. Read full press release.

The Reading Agency at the Public Library Authorities conference

How our programmes can support local authority agendas

We gave a number of presentations at the Public Library Authorities' Conference 2008 on October 8-10 in Liverpool, including Reading and performance management and Private sector partnerships. Project director, Liz Dubber, along with one of our trustees, Janene Cox, assistant director of culture and libraries in Staffordshire, talked about how many of our programmes can help libraries to deliver on local authority agendas and targets. LocalAuthorityAgendasFlyer.pdf

Young people have their say in north west libraries

Project celebration event: York: 18 June 2008

A project that has enabled over 288 young people aged 11 to 19 years across Yorkshire and Humberside to make key decisions about what they want from their local libraries celebrates its success with a special event on Wednesday 18 June in explore, Library Learning Centre, Acomb, York. Read full press release.

Libraries, reading and innovation: be part of the debate

The Reading Agency is launching a New Thinking publications programme, capturing cutting edge thinking and challenging debate about reading, and libraries' work with readers. Read full press release.

Children's publishers and libraries: new partnership scheme launches

A new partnership scheme between children's publishers and librarians begins work this month (May 2008), heralding a new era of joint work. Called Children's Reading Partners, it is led by The Reading Agency and involves 12 children's publishers, The Publishers' Association and the main children's library bodies. Read full press release.

Exciting developments in libraries' partnership with the book trade

Major developments in libraries' relationship with the book trade were announced at this week's Booksellers Association conference in Brighton (12-13 May 2008), during a session led by The Reading Agency and the Reading Partners library/publisher consortium. Read full press release.

Summer Reading Challenge™: Ten years old

We are proud that our national Summer Reading Challenge™ is celebrating ten years of working with the UK library network to keep children reading over their summer holidays, with potentially life-changing results. Read full press release.

Major publishers launch cross-country library-author programme for National Year of Reading

A huge Reader Meets Writer programme including some of the UK’s best-known authors and covering all of the 149 library authorities in England will be announced on 15 April 2008 at the London Book Fair. Read full press release

New solutions to help every child love reading

Enjoying Reading is an important new initiative to help every child love reading by encouraging schools and libraries to work more closely together. Read full press release.

Their Reading Futures: newly designed website

New opportunities to develop essential library staff skills

The Reading Agency is delighted to announce the launch of the latest website version of Their Reading Futures (TRF), which is at www.theirreadingfutures.org.uk. TRF is the online resource which provides training, information and news for all library staff, inspiring and supporting their reading work with children, young people, families and schools. Read full press release.

Young people and libraries: conference shines light on new future

A landmark conference this week heralded a new era for libraries‘ work with young people. A new Youth Libraries Offer was launched, along with innovative models of shaping and delivering library services with their young users. Read full press release.

Novelist Mike Gayle announced as patron of Six Book Challenge™ initiative

The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to get more reading to more people, is delighted to announce the appointment of best-selling author Mike Gayle as Patron of its new national Six Book Challenge™ initiative.

Read full press release.

HeadSpace Efford welcomes young readers

Plymouth Library Services is delighted to launch HeadSpace Efford, a completely different kind of library provision developed and run in partnership with young people and The Reading Agency.

Date: Monday 14 January 2008
Time: 5-7pm
Venue: Efford Library, Torridge Way, Plymouth

Read full press release

Reading, libraries and community engagement – the way ahead

Successful outcome to 30 November conference

The Reading Agency and the Local Government Association are delighted to report that their joint conference on Community Engagement Through Reading (30 November, London) generated much productive and thought-provoking debate. It has also provided a starting point for exciting new work and fruitful partnerships. All delegates have committed themselves to an action inspired by the day.

Read full press release

Reaching new markets - a guide to developing a successful BME strategy

Rageh Omaar to chair 22 November seminar

The Reading Agency and the Bookseller are delighted to announce a joint conference exploring the positive ways that libraries, publishers and retailers can work together to grow the book market, promote Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) authors and target a multi-ethnic audience. The event will be chaired by renowned broadcaster and writer Rageh Omaar.

The Reading Agency celebrates fifth birthday

by announcing plans to mark 2008 Year of Reading

As the National Year of Reading approaches, The Reading Agency is celebrating five years of inspiring more people to read more. At a special event on 8 November 2007 at the Royal Festival Hall, London, it will announce a future research and events programme, launch new branding and share news of several major initiatives. Read full press release (pdf).

Publishers back National Year of Reading to bring readers and writers together

At last week’s Public Library Authorities’ Conference (Glasgow: 11-12 October 2007) it was announced that nine of the biggest UK publishers are backing the 2008 National Year of Reading with an array of ambitious activities to connect readers to writers in every English library authority. Read full press release (pdf).

Fulfilling their Potential

Yorkshire and Humberside
A new regional initiative for young people and libraries

The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to get more reading to more people, is delighted to announce that Fulfilling their Potential (FtP) is under way in Yorkshire and Humberside. Read full press release (pdf).

Announcing the theme for the 2008 Summer Reading Challenge

The theme for the 2008 Summer Reading Challenge will be Sport. We'll be involving lots of children in the ideas for the new design and will give a sneak preview of the poster later in the autumn.

National Six Book Challenge™

In association with the Costa Book Awards

The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to get more reading to more people, is delighted to announce the launch of a national Six Book Challenge in association with the Costa Book Awards. The Six Book Challenge™ is targeted at adults who want to improve their literacy skills, and forms part of the Vital Link programme for libraries and literacy run by The Reading Agency in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. Read full press release (pdf).

Headspace welcomes young readers

The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to get more reading to more people, is delighted to launch HeadSpace. HeadSpace is the new name and brand for the project known to date as Book Bars – a completely different kind of library provision developed and run in partnership between libraries and young people across England. It will provide environments where young people will choose the furniture and books for their new spaces, can chill out and enjoy cutting-edge reading experiences. Read full press release (pdf).

Libraries Challenge Children to Change their World

The Summer Reading Challenge™ (SRC) is every parent‘s godsend: running in the UK’s libraries during July and August it provides children with a fun, FREE activity that not only entertains them, but keeps them reading during the six week break from school. Read full press release (pdf).

Reaching new markets – a guide to developing a successful BME strategy

The Reading Agency, the independent charity working to get more reading to more people and The Bookseller are delighted to announce a joint conference exploring the positive ways that librarians, publishers and retailers can work together to grow the book market, promote Black and Miniority Ethnic (BME) authors and target a multi-ethnic audience. The event will be chaired by renowned broadcaster and writer Rageh Omaar.
Read full press release (pdf)