Hackney urges residents to pick up a book for National Year of Reading 2026

Hackney has joined the National Year of Reading 2026, a campaign designed to help more people rediscover the joy of reading and make it part of their everyday lives.

A Department for Education initiative, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, the campaign aims to tackle the decline in reading enjoyment in the UK and reconnect people of all ages with the benefits of daily reading.

Reading for pleasure is strongly linked to positive educational, social, and economic outcomes, but reading enjoyment in the UK is currently on the decline. Only 1 in 3 children and young people say they enjoy reading, with daily reading being below 21% and particularly low among boys, teens, and low‑income families. 

The Council will be hosting a variety of events and activities across the year to get all ages reading, including collage-making classes, song and story sharing sessions, writing groups and book clubs.

Reading expands our world and sharpens our minds, but with so many distractions in our daily lives, fewer people are finding time to read. This year, we are helping people to see that stories, ideas and imagination belong everywhere.

Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for culture

The National Year of Reading coincides with Hackney’s new Libraries Reading Charter. An initiative to spotlight the year-round work Hackney Libraries does across the borough to champion reading for pleasure and provide crucial learning support to residents.

As part of the year of celebrations Hackney Libraries are also encouraging budding writers of all ages to take part in the London Verse poetry competition. Read submissions from Hackney writers and submit your own here.

Visit Love Hackney or sign up to the Hackney Libraries newsletter for updates on events and activities.