EditorNeath Port Talbot library service crowned best in Wales
The service was chosen as Wales’ regional winner in The British Book Awards’ Library of the Year category — a title judged on how well libraries inspire readers, reach new audiences and deliver programmes that genuinely change lives.
A festival that reached families who needed it most
Judges praised Neath Port Talbot for creating NPT Children’s BookFest: Write, Draw, Create — a festival designed to bring high‑quality events to children aged 5–16 in areas where opportunities like this are usually out of reach.
Working with local parks, theatres and community partners, the festival mixed author events, creative workshops and a writing competition to pull in families who don’t normally engage with library services. Judges said it showed “ambition, imagination and real community impact”.
Up against the best in the UK and Ireland
Eight regional and national winners have been announced across the UK and Ireland, selected from 42 finalists. The overall Library of the Year will be revealed at a ceremony at Grosvenor House on 11 May 2026.
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judging panel, said the winners proved how powerful libraries can be when they innovate.
“Libraries are at the heart of our reading culture,” he said. “These winners show how a love of books can be sparked across whole communities — from writing projects to book bingo to programmes supporting refugees.”
Government cash boost for libraries
The announcement comes as the UK Government confirmed a funding package of up to £150,000 for public libraries as part of the National Year of Reading. The money will support projects in areas with high deprivation, low engagement and limited access to cultural services.
‘Vital community anchors’
Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, said this year’s entries showed the scale of innovation happening in libraries across the UK.
“The regional and country winners truly distinguished themselves through the depth of their impact,” she said. “They show how libraries are shaping resilient, inclusive communities across 2026 and beyond.”
#books #BritishBookAwards #ChildrenSServices #community #culture #education #libraries #literacy #NeathPortTalbot #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #NPTCouncil #reading #WalesNews
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