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Primary school library programmes

We work with schools across the country to refresh and restock their libraries and book corners, and embed reading for pleasure in teaching practice. We believe school libraries should be at the heart of school communities.
Love our Libraries

School libraries face a chronic lack of investment, with the most disadvantaged communities most affected: 1 in 7 primary schools in England do not have a library and this rises to 1 in 4 in disadvantaged areas. This means that over three-quarters of a million children in the UK do not have access to books that we know enable better educational outcomes and greater well-being. There is no statutory requirement for schools to have a library.

Libraries for Primaries campaign

Founded in November 2021 by the National Literacy Trust and Penguin Random House UK, the Libraries for Primaries campaign (formerly the Primary School Library Alliance) is a group of organisations who work to address the lack of investment in primary school libraries.

We have now transformed 1,000 school libraries and trained over 2,000 teachers and support staff. The next phase is to ensure that every primary school in the UK has a library or dedicated library space.

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One thousand libraries

Read Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho's original and exclusive poem written for us to commemorate our exciting Libraries for Primaries campaign milestone.

Read Joseph Coelho's new poem
HRH Queen Camilla and Joseph Coelho 1000 Libraries poem and celebration

Programmes

Our evidence-based school library programmes provide the tools to help schools transform their reading spaces, and create connected communities of readers. Since the Primary School Library Alliance was convened in 2021 our programmes have been supported by a wide range of funders.

If you are interested in your school taking part in one of our libraries programmes, please email us.

Resources and training

Here you can find resources to help you audit and develop your reading for pleasure provision. For schools with National Literacy Trust membership we offer free online training that will help you improve your knowledge of children’s books, create an effective reading environment, and engage the whole school community in reading for pleasure.

If your school isn't a subscribed member, find out more about National Literacy Trust membership.

School libraries research

Our research shows that school libraries have a positive impact on all areas of pupils’ literacy and learning, and have never been needed more

Success Stories