Hundreds of Camden children spent their summer holidays discovering new stories, characters and adventures through a major drive to connect young people with reading.
New figures released during Green Libraries Week show that a total of 4,964 books were borrowed from Camden Libraries over the summer by children, including 3,781 physical loans and 1,113 digital loans. This comes following the Summer Reading Challenge and the enrolment of pupils to libraries at the end of last term. The figures reveal an immediate impact, with children actively using their library memberships to explore books throughout the summer holiday, a time when access to reading opportunities can be especially important.
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 children aged five and under have signed up to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, helping thousands of local families build reading habits from the earliest years through free books delivered directly to their homes each month.
These figures come as Camden launches its new five-year library strategy, Libraries Do! Explore Read Learn Connect, which places libraries at the heart of community life and focuses on ensuring services remain welcoming, inclusive and relevant for all residents.
Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture, said:
“Seeing children borrow nearly 5,000 books in such a short period shows the impact that access to books and libraries can have. It’s fantastic to see so many children across Camden using their library cards, exploring new stories and developing a love of reading that can last a lifetime.
“These figures also reflect the ambition of our libraries to be welcoming, inclusive spaces where residents of all ages can access books, learning, digital support and community connections free of charge. Whether you’re discovering your first picture book, preparing for your future or learning something new later in life, our libraries help people explore, read, learn and connect.”
Research by the National Literacy Trust found that children’s reading enjoyment and daily reading are recovering after years of decline, but remain below levels seen a decade ago. The findings also highlight a growing gap between disadvantaged children and their peers, reinforcing the need for initiatives that improve access to reading and library services.
The early success of the enrolment scheme and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library reflects a key ambition of the new strategy: reaching residents beyond traditional library users and making services more accessible through strong partnerships and community outreach.
The new strategy recognises libraries as much more than places to borrow books. They are trusted community spaces that support digital inclusion, health and wellbeing, learning, culture, creativity, employment and social connection. Camden libraries want to encourage reading from the earliest years of life and continue to be a supportive hub through childhood and into adulthood.
Launching during the National Year of Reading and Green Libraries Week, the strategy also highlights the role libraries play as sustainable community hubs where residents can access resources, opportunities and support locally. Camden Libraries are one of the first three Green Library Hubs in the country, providing workshops and events for anyone interested in practical advice on ways to save money, learn repair and making skills and improve the local community.
As Camden Libraries look ahead to the next five years, these latest figures demonstrate that libraries remain a vital part of community life and continue to help residents explore, read, learn and connect.
