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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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)