Reading & Libraries
Author Event: Marcus Alton: Brian Clough the Lost Tapes - Mansfield Library
Join award-winning former radio and print journalist and now bestselling author Marcus Alton as he …
Published 4th March 2026
Inspire Libraries has received a share of 400,000 copies of the World Book Day® £1 books to distribute to children, helping more children discover reading for fun.
As part of this year’s World Book Day® celebrations, Inspire Libraries is part of a nationwide community book distribution project, bringing books and the enjoyment of reading to the children of Forest Town and Warsop. Libraries in both areas are now World Book Day community token exchange hubs – a partnership with the charity and made possible with support from The Julia Rausing Trust and Arts Council England. Forest Town and Warsop Libraries will be offering children the opportunity to exchange their £1 World Book Day book token for a £1 book of their choice – for free!
World Book Day’s community book distribution project is part of the charity’s mission to improve children’s access to books and provide them with opportunities to develop a lifelong habit of reading for fun. Reading for fun is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than family circumstances, parents’ educational background and their income [1] – but research from National Literacy Trust found that fewer than 1 in 3 (34.6%) children now say they enjoy reading [2]. This is the lowest level since 2005, and reading enjoyment is lowest among children from disadvantaged backgrounds.[3] With up to one million children in the UK never owning a book [4], the charity is working in areas with above-average percentages of children receiving Pupil Premium support, and limited access to local bookshops.
World Book Day books on display at Forest Town Library.
“We are extremely privileged that two of our libraries have been selected as community token exchange hubs for World Book Day. We’re hopeful that this initiative will be a catalyst for longer-term engagement and that the children we reach will develop a new- found love of books and reading.”
“With reading for fun at its lowest level since 2005, our charity’s mission to change lives through a love of reading is more vital than ever. We are grateful to Arts Council England, The Julia Rausing Trust and our partner publishers, and our community book distribution partners for their generous support to help bring books to children across the country. We look forward to seeing more children enjoy their reading adventures this World Book Day.”
Inspire Libraries are at the heart of communities, providing free and accessible opportunities for all. With libraries across the county filled with books, knowledge, and inspiration, a welcoming space is never far away. Membership is free, and readers can borrow up to 24 items at once. This World Book Day and beyond, Inspire are proud to help children develop a love of reading, and empower them to explore, learn, and thrive regardless of age, interest, or reading ability.
Visit www.worldbookday.com for more information.
[1] https://www.oecd.org/pisa/pisaproducts/pisainfocus/48624701.pdf
[2] Children and Young People's Reading Research Report 2024 | National Literacy Trust
[3] Children and Young People's Reading Research Report 2024 | National Literacy Trust
[4] Book ownership in 2024 | National Literacy Trust
