Media centre

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

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:14:35 +0000

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
Read full press release.

Groundbreaking citywide 'Big Read' launches

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:01 +0000

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

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:31:00 +0000

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

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:11:59 +0000

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

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:32:10 +0000

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

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:01 +0000

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

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:01 +0000

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

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:01:00 +0000

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

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:44:24 +0000

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.

Libraries need volunteers as well as staff

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:42:40 +0000

With the debate about "community" further heated by recent events, the role of libraries as a key hub within those communities is once more in the spotlight. Miranda McKearney, Director of the Reading Agency, argues that they do indeed need volunteers - but not as a substitute for librarians BOOK BRUNCH VOLUNTEERS PIECE

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

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:29:52 +0000

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

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:34:46 +0000

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

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:32:03 +0000

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

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:10:35 +0000

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

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:48:00 +0000

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.