Libraries for Primaries calls on the government to fund more school reading spaces

The Libraries for Primaries campaign, founded by the National Literacy Trust and Penguin Books, is calling for the government to commit to match-fund private investment to create more primary school libraries. The aim of the campaign is to ensure that every child at primary school has access to a dedicated library or reading space. 

The nationwide initiative has received support from over 11 funding partners to date including private companies, publishers, trusts and foundations, as well as the public sector. 

According to Libraries for Primaries, over 750,000 children in the UK do not have a library at their primary school and are missing out on the opportunity to read for pleasure. This "postcode lottery" is rooted in geographic inequality across the UK, according to the campaign, with 18% of primary schools in the north-east of England reporting they do not have a library, compared to just 6% of schools in the south-east.  

A new report published on Wednesday 8th November by the Libraries for Primaries campaign, funded by Arts Council England, features national polling from research agency Public First. The report found that investment in primary school libraries has the potential to be "a key winner with voters across all political parties". Moreover, 85% of parents polled said that it’s important their child reads for pleasure, and access to a school library was more important to parents than access to a gymnasium or sports equipment.

Through its Libraries for Primaries campaign, the National Literacy Trust and partners have already transformed 640 primary school libraries in communities across the UK and is on track to transform 1,000 schools by spring 2024, almost a year ahead of schedule. But according to the campaign, more needs to be done to reach the remaining schools without library provision and the campaign is now calling for match-funding from the government.  

Children’s author and Libraries for Primaries ambassador Jacqueline Wilson said: "Reading opens up wonderful new experiences…It supports empathy and creativity. It stimulates the imagination, enhances vocabulary, excites and also comforts. Children also need to have the opportunity to read about communities, cultures and families like their own to enhance their sense of identity.”  

Jonathan Douglas CBE, c.e.o. of the National Literacy Trust, added: “Through our Libraries for Primaries campaign we have consistently shown the power of having a well-stocked school library and giving teachers the tools they need to create a culture of reading for pleasure. Having a brilliant school library is key to sparking children’s love of reading and ultimately helping to impact their future life chances. Today, we are calling on the government to match-fund the considerable private investment to date and commit to ensuring that every primary school in our country has a library."

Tom Weldon, c.e.o. of Penguin Random House UK, commented: “Recent research by the National Literacy Trust found that in the UK children’s love of reading is at its lowest level in two decades. It’s vital for the publishing ecosystem, and wider business community, to come together with government to create the readers of the future. After all, reading for pleasure benefits young people’s wellbeing, academic achievement, empathy and even their future success in life. We want every child to be able to access the magic and joy of reading, and this access should never be a postcode lottery.” 

Schools taking part in the library transformation programme as part of Libraries for Primaries campaign receive a curated collection of books and resources, as well as training for a member of staff. Following the library "transformations", the campaign has found that four in five children say that they want to use the library more and that they enjoy reading more.