Behind the scenes with Alison Tarrant, Head of Library Services

Last week was a wonderful collection of moments; moments of pride, awe, inspiration and motivation as I represented Peters at industry events.  

On Wednesday I had a lovely and informative meeting with Laura from the Booksellers’ Association, talking about their current work and policy concerns. It’s definitely something we’re going to be taking up to ensure we’re feeding into what’s happening at governmental level.  

Launch of the Summer Reading Challenge In the evening, I attended The Reading Agency’s launch of the 2026 theme for the Summer Reading Challenge – Read to the Beat; in partnership with Universal Music Ltd. We were lucky enough to be in their offices in Central London and to hear from one of their artists – Jess Gillam. Jess played the alto saxophone and spoke enthusiastically about taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge when she was a child. She also spoke about the community that playing music had given her as a child, and how music is a conduit for stories. I think there’s real potential to build cohesion through these two creative art forms. Karen Napier, CEO of the Reading Agency, said it would be a powerful partnership and music breaks down barriers as it exists in children’s everyday lives.   I think this is a fantastic opportunity to forge a closer connection between these two areas of the arts, and embrace the creativity which exists with both. We can be creative in how we blend these together: we can celebrate the novels which have Spotify playlists and protect space for children to experience reading in different forms and respond creatively. Librarians can celebrate local artists and defy the stubborn stereotypes that libraries should be quiet. It’s an opportunity to centre community, creativity and storytelling. I look forward to seeing the support from Universal in getting artists into libraries with readers.

Summer Reading Challenge 2026 launch : Read to the Beat

As the recent Reading Agency research suggests, we need to be more inclusive in our definition of what reading is. Reading lyrics counts. Reading raps counts. Creating a story to go alongside a piece of instrumental music could be a vital first stepping stone into reading for a child. Creating a soundtrack for a chapter of a book could be the first time they see their talents valued, and therefore identify as a reader for the first time. We can use this as a moment to open reading up, to put the invisible act alongside an audible art and show a whole new audience how reading can be enjoyed.  

Celebrating 175 years of the Public Libraries Act

On Thursday, I was fortunate to have been invited to the celebration of 175 years of the Public Libraries Act and the launch of the Libraries Alliance in Manchester.  

Before I pull out a few personal highlights it was lovely to hear so many specific examples of great, life changing work happening in public libraries, including in Merton, Barnsley, Rugby, Bradford and Blackburn and Darwin. As Baroness Twycross said at the event: never underestimate the impact you can have on a young person when they walk through the door. I’d only tweak it a little – to remove “young”; not as a criticism of her point; it was a personal reflection, but there’s no age limit to the impact of public libraries. Some of the most moving moments were from some library users who spoke at the event and illustrated this point as public libraries had helped them build a business, navigate a digital world and find a community while on maternity leave.  

I had conversations with the team at ASCEL, with Lorna from Children North East, with brilliant librarians, and it was a fantastic event. Being there representing a public library book supplier, it wasn’t lost on me that the first version of the Public Libraries Act (which preceded the 175 year old one) made no provision for providing books. The building was provided but no books… there’s a wry irony. 

There was also one other element which caught my eye on the stands about the history of the public libraries act and the beginnings of this movement in Manchester. One stand, answering the question “Why a Public Library Act?” said: “Much of this stemmed from the desire to sway the working classes towards activities such as reading and away from vice.” 

National Year of Reading 2026

As we continue our planning for The National Year of Reading, I wonder whether the messaging pits reading against other forms of entertainment, and how open we are with our definition of what counts as reading. I wonder to what extent we’re centering other people’s experiences of reading and meeting them there. And indeed, to what extent our messaging is trying to pull them to reading and “away from vice”. I am a bonefide reader: I don’t remember a time when I couldn’t read, I read voraciously as a child, I was a school librarian, judge for the Carnegies, and CEO of the School Library Association… and yet, I have felt shamed, and as though I’m not “enough” of a reader by industry stalwarts. Shamed – for having periods where I didn’t read, for reading the wrong type of thing, for not having bookshelves in my background on a video call… 

As I plan more deeply what Peters will be doing for the National Year of Reading,  I’m going to take a moment to reflect and make sure the message we are putting across to potential readers and library users is one of enticement and excitement. One that is inclusive and engaging, which shows reading as alive and relevant to this generation and centuries to come. I’m sure that’s what all organisations will be doing. Together, let’s ensure that there’s no element of judgement, blame or condescension this National Year of Reading. Let’s create a festival with an irresistible beat to draw future readers in. 

Read more about the Summer Reading Challenge 2026 

Read about the Libraries Connected event

Read Baroness Twycross’s speech