SLA to launch social book clubs in 100 secondary libraries

From September 2026, the SLA's Reading Reboot programme will deliver 1,000 social book clubs in over 100 secondary school libraries in London, the West Midlands and the North East of England.

The School Library Association has been awarded £500,000 by the Charlotte Aitken Trust to launch Reading Reboot - a new reading programme bringing social, librarian-led book clubs to secondary schools across England.

Beginning in September 2026, the Reading Reboot programme will deliver 1,000 social book clubs to secondary school libraries across England. Over three years, the programme will directly reach over 6,000 young people and 100 school librarians and senior school leaders. 

State schools can sign up to receive more information about the Reading Reboot programme now. Schools will not have to be existing SLA members to apply to take part, as those who are selected will receive SLA membership as a part of the programme. 

Social Reading Spaces

The programme will focus on Year 8 pupils, the age at which reading for pleasure often shows the steepest decline, and a year group that will soon be subject to a new mandatory reading test. The programme builds on the 2024 Social Reading Spaces study, run in collaboration with Farshore and Harper Collins Children's Books.

Reading Reboot will deliver ten-week book clubs, run in dedicated spaces within school libraries, by specially trained school librarians. The book clubs will include key components such as dedicated space and time for reading engagement within the school timetable; dedicated book stock, with 100+ new books provided to each participating school; free choice of book titles for participating pupils, and a removal of the pressure to read.

This simple approach to book clubs has been shown to increase reading engagement, increase reading age outcomes, improve the wellbeing of participating young people and build the positive, social associations with books and literature that will change attitudes to reading - taking it from a subject to be learnt, to an activity that can bring joy.

Dedicated time and resources

SLA CEO Victoria Dilly said: "Changing attitudes to reading cannot be achieved through instruction alone - it requires reading role models, dedicated time and resources, and a commitment to meeting young people where they are. With these things in place, we know change can happen quickly.

"The young people who participate in this programme will be given the opportunity to rediscover the joy of reading, on their own terms. We know increased reading engagement can transform a young person's experience of education, their creativity, and their future."

The Reading Reboot programme will, she added, equip librarians and school leaders with professional development, as well as building library collections and helping create engaging reading spaces for the whole school community to use.

"Looking forward, we will use the insights gained from this programme to raise awareness with key policymakers, demonstrating the positive impact that happens when you invest in school libraries, librarians and time for reading."

"Reframing reading"

Lauren Howard, trustee for the Charlotte Aitken Trust. said that by creating dedicated social reading spaces within school libraries, led by trained librarians and grounded in the freedom of choice, the programme "enables young people to encounter books beyond the pressures of assessment and discover books on their own terms, reframing reading not simply as a subject to be studied but as an activity to be enjoyed".

By placing school librarians at the heart of the delivery, the SLA says the Reading Reboot programme will "clearly demonstrate the impact and value that librarians bring to their school communities".

To find out more, visit the SLA website.