The National Year of Reading 2026, is a nationwide campaign bringing together libraries, schools, businesses, parents and literacy experts to get people of all ages excited about reading again.
Some of the benefits of reading
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Regular readers for pleasure in the UK reported fewer feelings of stress and depression than non-readers, and high life-satisfaction levels.
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Reading for pleasure in early in childhood is linked to better cognitive performance and mental wellbeing in adolescence.
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Those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations. Reading for pleasure is also associated with better sleeping patterns.
But this doesn’t have to mean reading in the traditional sense. Here are some top tips from the team at Lewisham Libraries (you can find links to the free resources at the bottom of the page).
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Listening to audiobooks is a great way to read while you’re doing other things.
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Embrace comics and graphic novels whatever your age.
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Let children choose what they want to read, whether it's a picture book, comic or information book.
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Save time by browsing our book catalogue online and collecting your books from any library in Lewisham.
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Have fun with our Adult Reading Challenge and children’s Winter Mini Challenge.
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Explore your interests through digital magazines, and keep up to date with newspapers from around the world.
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See yourself reflected in what you read with our diverse book collections.
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Read books and newspapers in your home language and share dual language children’s books.
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Read shorter books by top authors from our Quick Reads for adults, and Dyslexia friendly children’s collections.
National Year of Reading events for the whole community
Saturday 7 February at Deptford Lounge
Celebrate love in all its forms at an uplifting afternoon of free talks, readings, and workshops!
Dive into a lively panel exploring how romance has evolved from timeless tales to today’s bestsellers, craft heartfelt zines with Zoe the Zinester in a hands‑on creative session, and hear three acclaimed non‑fiction writers unpack the complexities of intimacy and community in modern life. A thoughtful, engaging look at the stories that connect us.
Raised Voices
Saturday 13 June at Deptford Lounge.
An immersive day exploring the art of storytelling beyond the page for adults and teens.
Discover how narratives come alive through spoken word performances, musical interpretation, and the world of audiobooks.
Read to the Beat
Saturday 25 July, across all of Lewisham’s libraries. 10am-4pm.
Summer Reading Challenge launch day for children and their families.
Get your young ones started on their Summer Reading Challenge journey with an exciting day of author events, workshops and activities embracing the musical theme of the 2026 challenge. Children can discover new ways to read with audiobook listening stations, Voxblock screen free audio player demos, and comics and dyslexia friendly books to borrow. They will come away with their Summer Reading Challenge booklet and a special edition of Storytime magazine, ready to start reading and collecting prizes.
Family Day
Tuesday 15 September at Downham Library. 10.30am - 2.30pm.
A supportive, fun learning day for early years children and their families and carers.
Learn ways to support your child’s early literacy while they are having fun, with rhyme time sessions and arts and crafts. Get tips and inspiration from authors of parenting books and take time to de-stress with free yoga sessions. Connect with local free services and support through Family Hubs, the NHS and Downham Health and Leisure Centre. Plus, there will be free audiobooks and fun giveaways for the whole family.
Black History Month
October. Multiple dates across our libraries.
We will continue our vibrant programme of Black History events and activities for all ages as part of Lewisham Black History 365.
Imagined Worlds Festival
November. Date and location to be confirmed.
Our popular Imagined Worlds festival of sci-fi and fantasy will be back for its third year. Expect events, activities screenings and talks for all ages.
Links and info
Browse the Community Languages shelves in our libraries for books in multiple languages.
Books that reflect our diverse communities can be found throughout our libraries.
For everything else please ask our friendly library staff.
