Love Literacy 2025 review | conference for librarians UK - Peters

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Reflecting on Love Literacy 2025: Reading for Generations

January 12th 2026

Last held in 2019, our flagship conference Love Literacy supports the professional development of teachers, librarians, and others who care about improving reading across the UK. In conjunction with our 90th anniversary year in 2025, we relaunched this conference and packed it with insightful keynote speakers, workshops and partners to best inspire our work with the next generation.
Find out more about the keynote speakers, workshop leaders, and exhibitors below, as well as our exciting plans for Love Literacy.

Inspiring teachers and librarians: this year's keynote speakers

Jonathan Douglas | Matt Goodfellow | Rashmi Sirdeshpande | Tọlá Okogwu

Love Literacy compere and Peters Co-CEO Claire Bowles opened the day with a heartfelt tribute to former Managing Director Ray Dyer. You can watch the short film which charts the design and installation of Ray's Library on the Peters YouTube.

Rallying attendees, the CEO of National Literacy Trust Jonathan Douglas explored the worrying data in the 2025 report on Children and Young People's Reading. He then shared the nationwide strategy to combat the decline in reading enjoyment with the National Year of Reading 2026 and its key message: 'Go All In'. Learn more about this year's support for schools and libraries on our dedicated National Year of Reading webpage.

Peters books | librarian conference UK Peters books events | training for english teachers National Year of Reading 2026 | literacy conference UK
Reinforcing the 'Go All In' message, Matt Goodfellow, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Tọlá Okogwu emphasised the need for adults to meet where children and young people are and be open to offering more diverse formats and stories to reach every reader.

Matt Goodfellow events | Love Literacy 2025
Matt Goodfellow on how verse and poetry inspires children and young people to find their voice

Rasmi Sirdesphande events | Love Literacy 2025

Rashmi Sirdeshpande on the importance of diverse formats and stories to reach all potential readers

Tola Okogwu events | Love Literacy 2025

Tọlá Okogwu wrapping up the conference with the inspiring reading strategy, 'Reading Bold, Wide and Beyond'

 

"All speakers were passionate, honest, authentic and relatable. They spoke as readers, educators, and parents and advocated for a better society."


Practical advice and insightful discussions: workshops and panels

Representation and inclusivity | Recommended children's fiction and non-fiction | Building reading communities

Throughout the conference, delegates attended practical workshops and discussion panels led by literacy experts and organisations, helping boost their long-term work with children and young people. Attendees went away with an abundance of inspiration!


One Education workshops | training for primary english teachers English teacher CPD UK | Love Literacy 2025 What on Earth! Books | Love Literacy 2025 What on Earth! Magazine | school events

Oracy in primary schools: how effective oracy practice brings about motivated readers and writers
Workshop led by Alice Pepper, Education Consultant, OneEducation

Curious minds: how non-fiction books are vital to teen development in the Internet Age
Workshop led by Christopher Lloyd, CEO of What On Earth Books

Inclusive library support | Inclusive children's books

Representation for generations: diversity and inclusion in children's and young people's reading
Panel discussion with Jake Hope, Publisher Liaison Lead at Inclusive Books for Children; Paula Russell, Forward Education Trust; and Alison Tarrant, Head of Library Services

 

Alison Tarrant workshops Alison Tarrant | librarian workshops UK Minerva Learning at Love Literacy 2025 Ruth Baker-Leask workshops | Birmingham literacy conference

Peters picks: librarians' recommendations 2025-2026
Workshop led by Alison Tarrant, Head of Library Services, Peters

Different text types for different readers
Workshop led by Ruth Baker-Leask, Director of Minerva Learning

 

"I am going back to my school and department, armed with resources and strategies, as well as a reminder of the joy, curiosity and love at the heart of our work."

 

The Reading Agency workshops | Birmingham librarian conference The Reading Agency workshops | Birmingham librarian conference The Reading Agency workshops | Birmingham librarian conference

Building reading communities
Workshop led by Emma Braithwaite, The Reading Agency

 

Inclusive Books for Children workshops Mel Glazzard workshops Children's poetry teacher workshops | Birmingham literacy conference

Reading inclusive books: nurturing the next generation of open-minded and inspired young readers
Workshop led by Jake Hope and Amy McKay, Inclusive Books for Children

Accessible reading through children's poetry
Workshop led by Mel Glazzard, Independent Literacy Specialist

Jack Noel graphic novels | Love Literacy 2025

Power-up! Graphic novels' impact on children's and young people's reading
Panel discussion with Lucy Starbuck-Braidley, Head of School Libraries; Jack Noel, author, Reba Khatun, school librarian; and Ruth Baker-Leask, Director of Minerva Learning


Networking with peers, publishers and literacy organisations

There was plenty of opportunity for delegates to chat and connect with our fantastic exhibitors, ranging from reading spine suppliers to literacy charities to children's book publishers. View the complete list of Love Literacy 2025 exhibitors and learn more about how they can support your school or library.

 
Love Literacy 2025 exhibition Guppy Books at Love Literacy 2025 Librarian events in Birmingham Teacher conference in Birmingham

Plus, our team hosted an onsite Peters bookshop for attendees to browse and buy from, and an Ask the Librarian stand to answer any reading-related or stock questions our attendees had.

We also ran an author signing table, with our brilliant keynote speakers!

Librarian advice UK Librarian bookshop
Author Matt Goodfellow at Love Literacy 2025 Author Rasmi Sirdeshpande at Love Literacy 2025 Author Tola Okogwu at Love Literacy 2025

"It was the most enjoyable and informative day I've had in a long time."

 

Thank you to Love Literacy 2025 official sponsors

We want to give our upmost thanks to the organisations who sponsored this year's conference. Find out more about our conference sponsors and get in touch for the best support and books for boosting literacy in your school or library.

Literacy Tree events

Nosy Crow events Barrington Stoke events Everything with Words publisher

First News Guppy Books

Libresoft Otter-Barry Books


Read feedback from Love Literacy 2025 delegates

Peters Books staff

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting our attendees at Love Literacy 2025, and ending our 90th anniversary with an energising, inspiring day focused on children's reading. Hear more from the teachers and librarians who attended this year's conference.

"I was engrossed for the whole day, not once did I 'drift off'. Every speaker gave information I could use in my library and school in a way I understood and enjoyed."

"They were all engaging, informative, and interesting. They were all, without question, enthused by being there and talking about their love of the subject. Uplifting."

"All speakers were passionate, honest, authentic and relatable. They spoke as readers, educators, and parents and advocated for a better society."

"Brilliant venue, programme, staff and generally everything!"

"I am going back to my school and department, armed with resources and strategies, as well as a reminder of the joy, curiosity and love at the heart of our work."

"I went away yesterday feeling respected and valued. ALL of your staff were extremely helpful and friendly."

"It was the most enjoyable and informative day I've had in a long time."

Love Literacy | UK events for teachers and librarians


What's next for Love Literacy?

After the success of Love Literacy 2025, Peters will continue to host inspiring events in coordination with our literacy partners under the umbrella of Love Literacy. Love Literacy hosts informative and inspiring events, training and conferences for teachers, school librarians, senior leaders and public library staff, to support and champion their work improving children's and young people's literacy and reading enjoyment.

 

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