National Year of Reading
2026 is National Year of Reading and Libraries are at the heart of it, find out here what Leeds Libraries have in store.
Reading is powerful. It boosts wellbeing, sparks imagination, builds empathy, and expands your world. It nurtures curiosity, sharpens your mind, and it might even make you more creative or successful. Sometimes, the value is simply in the pleasure itself - escapism, laughter, or inspiration. But fewer of us are making the time to read. Reaching for a book can feel like a chore when there are so many other ways of entertaining ourselves, but reading is a great way to go deeper into your existing passions - whether it’s fashion, football, films, food. In today’s fast-paced, digital world, we want to make reading relevant, joyful, and part of everyday life.
Libraries are at the heart of the National Year of Reading. As trusted, welcoming spaces, we bring stories to life and connect communities through the joy of reading. This campaign will welcome new members, inspire thousands of reading champions, and help more people discover the lasting value of reading for pleasure.
This year, Leeds Libraries want to go all in, inspire more people to rediscover the joy of reading and make it a regular part of their lives. If you're not already a member of Leeds Libraries, it's free to join and you can borrow up to 20 books at a time, access e-books, e-audio, magazines and comics, use our digital resources and much more.
For Year of Reading, we want to know Leeds' favourite reads - fill in this quick form and we'll share your review!
Here are a few other highlights:
14 February to 8 March: Leeds Storytelling Festival (city-wide)
19 February to 30 May: Story Explorers exhibition at Central Library
23 April: World Book Night - Quick Reads giveaway at selected libraries
Spring/Summer: Reopening of Central Lending and new Children’s Library
June: Leeds Lit Fest (citywide)
July: Summer Reading Challenge (citywide)
July: Leeds 400 launch (citywide)
Oct: Leeds Story Exhibition at Central Library, Green Libraries Week (citywide)
Keep in the loop with what we're up to throughout the year via the Leeds Libraries website.