Book Week NI 2024 is here and running until Sunday 27 October, marking its ninth year as a key event in Northern Ireland. Jointly hosted by BBC NI and Libraries NI, this week brings together communities, schools, and media to celebrate the pleasure and importance of reading.
There are special events taking place in libraries throughout the week with Wednesday 23 October being Love Your Library Day! We are encouraging everyone to call in to their local library on that day or any day during the week!
This year, as well as the programmes and book discussions that are taking place across the air waves of the BBC, we are delighted that many schools, colleges and universities will be taking part during the week. Encouraging our children and young people to read and to enjoy reading is so important and one of the best ways for parents and carers to do this is to be a reading role model. That is why visiting libraries can help because all the family can choose and borrow books, save money and then spend time reading together.
Why Reading Matters
Reading matters because it offers so much more than just an escape. It sharpens your mind, helps you unwind, improves focus, boosts literacy, and even promotes better sleep! It’s a simple habit with powerful benefits that can enrich your life in countless ways:
- Brain Workout: Reading sharpens memory and cognitive skills
- Role Model: Shows your children the importance of reading
- Stress Buster: A good book can help you unwind and relax
- Focus Booster: Regular reading increases concentration and attention span
- Literacy Lift: Reading expands vocabulary
- Sleep Enhancer: A bedtime reading routine signals to your body that it’s time to rest.
Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved in Book Week NI:
- Visit Your Library: Take some time to visit your nearest library, especially if you work nearby
- Start a Book Group: Organise a lunchtime book group with colleagues, or join the Libraries NI Online Book Club
- Share and Recommend: Exchange book recommendations with colleagues and friends
- Write reviews: Submit book reviews to Libraries NI for a chance to be featured on our website or social media channels. Send to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Family Reading: Borrow books from the library and read with your children
- Unplug and Read: Swap screen time for book time during your lunch break
- The Big Read: Rally your colleagues to participate in Libraries NI’s Big Read
- Take on a Reading Challenge: Set a personal goal to read a certain number of books or pages
- Explore Events: Attend the FREE online and in-person author talks and workshops
Join the Celebration
Book Week NI is more than just a week – it’s a chance to reconnect with reading, whether at home, work or in your local community.
The full programme of events is available here and keep an eye on Libraries NI's social media channels and website librariesni.org.uk for updates.
We look forward to you joining us in making Book Week NI 2024 another great celebration of reading!