County Durham joins National Year of Reading

County Durham joins National Year of Reading

A council has pledged to celebrate and encourage reading with a year-long programme of events.

Durham County Council is supporting the National Year of Reading, a major nationwide push to get people of all ages behind the pages of books.

With the theme ‘Go All In’, and led by the Department for Education, National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency, the campaign puts libraries at the centre of a celebration of stories, creativity and community.

Throughout the year, the council has planned a wide range of author festivals, themed reading months, and family activities to bring stories to life in all 39 of its libraries

Celebrations kicked off during National Storytelling Week, 2 to 8 February, with story and rhyme time sessions held across the council’s libraries.

Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “Libraries are where stories and people meet. They are trusted, welcoming spaces and vital to rebuilding a reading culture. They are part of our county’s essential community infrastructure, so we are delighted to put our support behind this campaign.

“Not only is reading fun, but it boosts wellbeing, creativity and opportunity. The National Year of Reading is our chance to bring communities together and help people rediscover the joy of books. From hesitant readers to lifelong book lovers, we are inviting everyone to Go All In and make 2026 a year of imagination, connection and joy.”

One of the signature events in the programme will be the Festival of Local Authors, from 16 to 28 February. This community-focused programme will see over 30 events across two weeks to promote both emerging and established local talent.

July will see the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge. Following the theme of ‘Read to the Beat’, it will see a series of music and lyric inspired sessions across the county’s libraries. It will also tie in with Durham Brass Festival, with pop-ups during the festival to promote reading and the library service.

Activities have also been planned to coincide with the annual Durham Book Festival, 9 to 11 October, where there will be book promotions and displays at Gala Durham and workshops at Clayport Library.

November will link with the Northern Children’s Book Festival, with 10 visits from children’s authors and illustrators planned across the county’s libraries.

During the panto season, cast members at Gala Durham, Consett Empire and Bishop Auckland Town Hall will also ‘pop up’ in library venues to promote reading to children and young people.

The county will culminate its year of reading with the Children’s Winter Mini Challenge. The free online-based reading initiative, run by The Reading Agency, brings fun ways to get children to keep their reading habit over the holiday period and during the winter months.

Other highlights throughout the year include days, such as Elmer Day and Roald Dahl Day, to celebrate well-known literary characters and figures. There will also be themed month-long programmes, including Women’s History Month, Celebrating Men Month, National Crime Reading Month and Local History Month.

People can find out more about the activities planned for the National Year of Reading by following the hashtag #CountyDurhamLibraries on social media, or online at www.durham.gov.uk/libraries.