Happy New Year #TeamUHCW!
There’s lots to look forward to when a new year rolls around, with fresh opportunities for growth, reflection and new goals. However, the UHCW KLS are particularly pleased to welcome in 2026 as it has been designated the UK’s National Year of Reading!
Recent research shows reading habits across the UK are changing:
- Only 1 in 3 young people aged 8 to 18 report enjoying reading in their free time
- Just 1 in 5 young people read something daily
- Adults are also reading less, citing time pressures, low confidence, and limited access to relevant reading materials
This marks a generational decline in reading for pleasure and the National Year of Reading aims to change our reading culture in 2026 and beyond by:
- (Re)connecting people of all ages with reading as a meaningful, modern, and social activity
- Connecting people with stories and ideas that reflect their cultures, interests, and needs
- Reverse the decline in reading for pleasure and unlock a love of reading that lasts a lifetime
- Ensure the campaign is grounded in existing evidence and new research.
Whatever you’re into, it’s in the library.
For a health library like us, this campaign is a great opportunity to showcase how and why reading isn’t just important for studying, clinical decision-making and service development, it’s fundamental to our wellbeing too. While we’ll always remain a place for you to work and study, our resources and collections are also places to explore, discover and share new and existing passions. This year, we’ll be sharing a series of events, activities, and resources to help you spark or re-ignite a love for reading. We hope you’ll join us along the way, so watch this space!