1998-1999 National Year of ReadingThe whole reader development movement received a massive lift from the National Year of Reading which ran from September 1998 to August 1999. Originally conceived as a programme to increase the literacy levels of 10 year-olds, under the visionary direction of Liz Attenborough, the National Year of Reading became a joyous outburst of reading celebrations across the UK. When the dust settled it became apparent that the library-initiated parts of the programme had been the most successful, a tribute to the commitment of library staff to promoting reading.
The National Year of Reading raised the profile of reading in all sorts of unexpected places – doors were opened and people listened where before there was no point of entry. This had a long term beneficial effect on the cultural climate in which reading promotion takes place. The National Reading Campaign continues the work begun in the Year of Reading see www.literacytrust.org.uk/campaign |
