Reading

Dawn Stanley-Donaghy, Leeds

Walking Books linking outdoor exercise and reading

Dawn's Walking Books project won the NAG Award for 2025; she used this funding to working in partnership with other council departments, like Parks and Countryside, to promote e-audiobooks as something that can be accessed and enjoyed while people are exercising, thus linking the physical benefits of outdoor exercise with the mental wellbeing benefits of reading. She also supports and promotes the Read Easy initiative, a scheme run by an external provider, which takes place in libraries to teach adults with low literacy levels how to read.

Victoria Little, South Tyneside

Reading and activity reward scheme

Victoria has developed a scheme for library members in which customers get rewards for attending and book borrowing. South Tyneside have linked with partners in leisure to offer membership rewards such as free swimming or soft play sessions.

Aimee Hawkins, Warwickshire

Book Bingo

Aimee has created a brand new adult reading challenge for Warwickshire Libraries called Book Bingo developed entirely from scratch in response to requests from frontline staff. They highlighted the need for an adult-focused initiative to complement the children’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Emma Ward, Libraries Unlimited (Devon)

Sustaining and innovating reading initiatives in South Molton

Emma took on three book clubs—Children’s, Teen, and Adult—reading and preparing in her own time to ensure participants had enriching experiences. She also took over the redesign of the Teen Library, creating a more engaging and inclusive space for young people.

Caroline Hall, Bolton

Creative storytelling and reading programmes

Caroline is the officer lead for the Early Years offer at Bolton Central Library, ensuring that reading and literacy are at the heart of everything delivered. A key strength of her role is her expertise as a REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) trainer. She has successfully trained all library staff in effective storytelling techniques, strengthening the quality and consistency of the early years offer.

Daniel Roberts, Liverpool

LGBTQIA+ reading group The Proud Readers

Dan works in partnership with local community members of LGBTQIA+ organisations to curate a safe space for attendees of the book club - inviting local authors to speak, as well as reading both classic and new pieces of literature.

Health and Wellbeing

Isadore Auerbach George, Southwark

Health and Wellbeing strategy and events

Isadore devised and delivered a Culture walk as part of Southwark's annual Festival of Words programme. The walk took participants to libraries, art galleries, public art and open spaces over three hours. This supported Southwark's Health and Wellbeing agenda.

Charlotte Higham, Bolton

Programmes for neurodiverse children and the Creative Health Network

Charlotte successfully secured funding from the Libraries Connected Microgrants Fund to purchase a digitally interactive Rainbow Table. The Rainbow Table is an interactive touch table designed for use in care, education, and support settings, combining person centred technology with an easy to use design to create a positive and engaging experience. It offers people living with dementia a range of stimulating games and activities that support cognitive function and mental agility.

Beth Harris, Libraries Unlimited (Devon and Torbay)

Transforming the Health and Wellbeing Offer

Beth's programmes have strengthened Libraries Unlimited’s reputation as a desirable health and wellbeing partner, resulting in new funding streams, deeper collaboration and increased visibility, particularly within health networks.

Anna Putek, Manchester

Inclusive craft groups, city‑wide initiatives and 'worry worms'

Through a crochet and knitting group, Anna has helped foster a supportive, creative space that brings people together, reduces isolation, and encourages regular engagement with the library.

Samantha Meunier, Bath and North East Somerset

Accessibility improvements across libraries

Samantha worked closely with a colleague to develop Bath and North East Somerset's first Sensory Space in Bath Central Library in 2022. She identified a need, researching through local SEND organisations and schools, and delivered a free space, primarily for neurodiverse children and young adults.

Anita Kiss, Worcestershire

Dementia support and Dementia Ambassadors programme

Anita leads Worcestershire's team of Dementia Ambassadors, meeting regularly with the group to share good practice and expand the range of activities provided in libraries across the county. She involves local partners and support organisations to ensure the service's Memories & Me project is promoted to non-library customers.

Share the Vision

Deborah Bennett, Mary Bailey and Johanna Yardley, Warwickshire

Home delivery service for visually impaired readers

Debbie, Mary and Johanna coordinate and prepare deliveries for the Home Delivery Service, with a team of volunteers who help select and deliver. This is an entirely free service that continues usage of the Library when people are no longer able to get to static or mobile Libraries.

Thom Williams, Manchester

Audio trail for visually impaired visitors

Alongside his daily duties at the Manchester Visitor Information Centre, Thom has thrown himself into a range of events and tasks as part of the wider Central Library team. One such task was the creation and development of a ‘Self Guided Audio Trail’ to uncover the secrets of Central Library and its rich history, particularly for visually impaired customers.

Sarah Jones, Redbridge

Live audio description and inclusive cultural events

Sarah collaborated with the local organisation Vision Ability to create a welcoming and accessible environment at Wanstead and Redbridge Central Libraries, ensuring decorations and exhibitions could be enjoyed by blind visitors.

Books to Go staff, Manchester

Expanded partnerships supporting residents with visual impairments

The Manchester Housebound Service has 400 customers who receive home visits every four weeks. Staff improve digital access by loaning tablets and helping customers install apps like Borrowbox and Libby, including accessibility features such as large print and text‑to‑speech.

Information and Digital

Melanie Weeks, Vale of Glamorgan

Digitisation of local history collections

Melanie has created a lasting legacy by leading a groundbreaking digitisation project that preserves irreplaceable local history, builds community skills, and positions the library service firmly in the digital age.

Engagement and Access Team, Blackpool

Digital and VR programmes for young people

Inspired by the national StoryTrails project, the team created Explore Tech, Expand Worlds, partnering with The Reading Agency and StoryFutures to give young people opportunities to create as well as consume VR content.

Frances Harrison, Newcastle

Transformation of social media and marketing

Frances brings staff into content creation, sharing performance insights and helping colleagues understand what content resonates with customers.

Kenilworth Library Team, Warwickshire

Temporary banking hub and digital support

When Kenilworth lost its last high street bank, the library stepped in to host a temporary hub, protecting financial inclusion and enabling residents to access essential digital banking support.

Sarah Brewer, Norfolk

Techathon digital skills programme

Sarah ensured that children and young people at risk of digital exclusion were included in Techathon at the new library in Great Yarmouth.

Cambridgeshire Team

EverySpace digital hubs

This visionary team originated and delivered EverySpace, transforming two libraries into inclusive, future‑proofed digital hubs.

Children and Young People

Alice Varney, Barnsley

Sewing Socials for young people

Alice has diversified the offer at the Library @ the Lightbox, supporting young people to reuse and recycle through garment‑making sessions.

Emily Maycock, Medway

Reading for pleasure initiatives and the Medway Reading Network

Emily created the Medway Reading Network, uniting librarians and teachers to improve life chances and wellbeing for children through reading.

Hampshire School Library Service Team

SLS@Home tackling book poverty

SLS@Home provides tailored access to books for children who don’t have them at home over long school holidays, tackling book poverty.

James Fisher and Zach Wells, Kent

Partnership with youth football teams

James and Zach partnered with youth football teams to bring reading and libraries into sporting environments.

Cheryl Pridgeon and Margaret Duff, Manchester

Diversity in children’s books and See Myself in Books festival

Their initiative ensures children see themselves represented in books, culminating in a highly successful festival.

October Jones, Wandsworth

Inclusive activities that widen access and representation

October has transformed library experiences for children and young people, opening opportunities for underrepresented communities.

Culture and Creativity

Nabil Ahmed and Azra Iqbal, Buckinghamshire

South Asian Heritage Month celebrations

Their bold, community‑centred celebration positioned High Wycombe Library as a hub of culture and belonging.

Sarah Cockburn and Dee Antonescu, North Yorkshire

Cultural Connections inclusive events

Their monthly Cultural Connections event celebrates diversity through music, storytelling, food and shared experiences.

Helen Ackroyd, Inspire (Nottinghamshire)

Long‑term cultural development and events

Since 2016, Helen has delivered arts and cultural programmes that reach new audiences and build staff capacity.

Mark George and Rebecca Rudall, Tower Hamlets

Writeidea literary festival

Their vision made Writeidea a radical, free, fully accessible literary festival.

Charmaine Low, Southwark

The Sound Library performance platform

Charmaine created a performance platform for emerging writers, poets and musicians, giving them a rare opportunity to share their work.

Shelly Shine and Keshia Stewart, Stockport

Community mosaic project on the theme of freedom

Their flagship mosaic project combined community storytelling, sustainability, and public art in an inspiring way.

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