Reading and Libraries

Why reading matters

• Reading makes people feel good
• Reading helps people understand themselves and other people
• Reading fuels and exercises people's creativity and imagination
• Reading helps people learn, grow and develop skills
• Reading provides information for life
• Reading connects people: it gives shared and fresh viewpoints; people can come together to share their reading
• Reading helps people to make sense of the world and their place in it

What libraries do to bring reading to people

• Create lively, welcoming spaces suitable for readers
• Provide trained staff, able to talk to readers about their choices
• Create accessible, interesting displays and access points
• Provide a wide range of stock
• Run activities to involve readers and make opportunities to share reading experiences

Libraries' Unique Selling Points (USPs)

• Libraries are the UK's biggest provider of reading
• Libraries' national network offers everyone free access to books and reading
• Providing reading and reading choices encourages experiment and exploration
• Libraries provide a trusted, safe, communal space

These are all valuable messages for your library advocacy. Have a look at the advocacy section on this website: Getting Your Message Across

Use this Demos report as a source of powerful advocacy material: Demos report on libraries and creative reading, June 2004 (Word, 100kb)