On 7th October 2026 the National Library of Scotland, as well as several other libraries across Scotland, took part in the Wee Read. The event, which has been held for the first time this year, asked people across the country to dedicate a small fraction of their day to reading a book. In association with the National Year of Reading the aim of the day was to help highlight the several positive impacts that come with reading (even a little) every day.
According to statistics available through the Wee Read website (supplied by The Reading Agency) 55% of UK adults stay that they read less than they would like as well as 42% stating that, despite the fact they wouldn’t consider themselves as ‘readers’, they still read less than they would like.
The Wee Read-In was incorporated within the National Library’s exhibition space which is currently holding an exhibition called ‘Rain’ (a look into Scotland’s historical relationship with rain) alongside a small exhibition called ‘Paperback Revolutions’. Both exhibitions had dedicated places for people to take part with comfortable couches and a selection of books to choose from. The area within the ‘Rain’ exhibition appeared to be catered to children and adults alike with books in keeping with the weather theme of the exhibition. Members of the public were encouraged to take time to read at their own leisure (which I chose to do so) but library staff were available every hour throughout the day to read to a small group within these spaces. When I arrived a few families were taking part in the hourly reading and seemed very engaged with a staff member’s reading of a classic Winnie-the-Pooh book.
I was alone in taking part in my Wee Read but I found myself being able to appreciate the intent of the day particularly inside the National Library itself. Entering from the busy Edinburgh streets and into a small, cosy corner of the library and letting myself get lost in my book really allowed me to take a minute for myself and de-stress, even for just 10 minutes. And, while I seemed to be alone, according to their official website over 91,000 people in Scotland pledged to take part.
Also according their website, one of the intentions behind the day was to help highlight the importance libraries have in our communities. I experienced this first-hand but I’d like to note that the variety of ways in which people could participate in this event, whether that would be at home or on their daily commute perhaps, allowed for the event to be accessible to as many as possible. One of the many reasons that I hope it will make a return next year!
Find Out More;
The State of the Nation’s Adult Reading: 2025 Report – The Reading Agency
