"These winners showcase the transformative power of libraries to engage communities in meaningful, lasting ways, and the shortlisted entries demonstrate how thoughtful collaboration and innovation create immediate success and enduring legacy."
"From ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) lessons, to Rhyme Time, to finding a quiet corner to escape to a different world - our libraries are here for our residents. Since launching the campaign, we've seen a sustained rise in memberships and loans, and a growing sense of shared pride in these brilliant public spaces."
Google Southwark Libraries has been recognized as the London winner of the British Book Awards 2026 Library of the Year, selected from 42 finalists across the UK and Ireland. The award acknowledges the library's efforts to engage new and returning readers through meaningful community initiatives. The To Be at Southwark Libraries campaign, launched in October 2025, focuses on reconnecting residents with comprehensive library services including ESOL lessons, children's programs, and quiet reading spaces. The government has allocated up to £150,000 in additional funding for public libraries as part of the National Year of Reading, with £5,000 distributed among five English regional winners. Since the campaign launch, Southwark Libraries has experienced sustained increases in memberships and loans, demonstrating the transformative impact of thoughtful community engagement and innovation.
Read at www.bbc.com
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