Hounslow Council proudly supports the National Year of Reading with a year-long programme of events, activities and challenges, designed to inspire people of all ages to rediscover the joy of reading.
Hounslow is among the best areas in the country for library access, with analysis from the Office for National Statistics, 2023, showing that most people in Hounslow (63 percent) live within a 15-minute walk of a Council library. A further 98 percent of residents were found to live within half-an-hour’s walk. This is one of the highest proportions nationally, placing Hounslow 21st out of 318 local councils.
A council survey also revealed that these accessible services are well-regarded by users, with 88 percent of respondents expressing high satisfaction with Hounslow’s libraries, the highest rating of any of the Council’s services.
Hounslow Council’s community hub and libraries will host an exciting Year of Reading programme with something for everyone, including family storytime, workshops, reading groups and borough-wide creative competitions.
Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces at Hounslow Council, said:
As a child, libraries helped instil in me a lifelong love of reading. Now, both as parent and as an author, that's a passion I want to pass on.
We know that reading to children can help them to develop language skills, imagination and emotional intelligence, as well as strengthening bonds with parents and carers.
Reading as an adult can support learning and help lift us out of the stresses of the day, transporting us to another place and time.
Whether you’re a lifelong reader or picking up a book for the first time in years, join us as we celebrate reading for pleasure, creativity and community, during this Year of Reading.
Highlights of the year include:
- Dancing Books, lively sessions for babies and toddlers, bringing stories to life through movement and music. Free Dancing Books sessions are happening at Osterley and Brentford Community Hub and Libraries, now.
- Junior Book Awards and World Book Day activities, which help children enjoy the life-changing benefits of reading for fun.
- Teen Read and Poetry Slam events, where year 7 pupils from local secondary schools come together to write and then perform original poetry in front of a live audience and judging panel.
- Adult Reading Challenges, introducing free access to millions of e-books and audiobooks as well as physical books in the Council’s community hubs and libraries, and new library reading groups
- World Book Night, which bring people from all backgrounds together to read, inspire others to read more and celebrate the difference that reading can make to our lives.
Residents visiting Hounslow’s community hub and libraries will find community language sections, archive records and easy-read books. There are books to complement adult learning, including pottery, sewing, painting, baking and digital skills. Hounslow's online catalogue also opens up free access to millions of e-books and audiobooks, for local people.
Full details and updates about Hounslow’s Year of Reading, will become available on the Council’s website, throughout the year.
