Wakefield Council Launches Renewed Offer for School Libraries: How the Plan Inspires a Lifelong Love of Reading

Remember that feeling of getting completely lost in a book? Forgetting where you were, who was around you, and just diving headfirst into another world. It’s a bit of magic, isn't it? Well, it seems Wakefield Council is on a mission to bring that exact feeling to more children across the district. On 09 March 2026, they launched a brilliant new plan for school libraries, and it’s all about helping kids discover the pure joy of reading for pleasure, not just because it’s on the timetable.

A fresh take on school libraries

Let’s be honest, sometimes reading can feel like a chore when it’s part of homework. But this new initiative is designed to flip that idea on its head. The whole point is to support local schools in creating an environment where picking up a book is exciting. It's about providing literacy support that focuses on making reading fun. This new library service aims to make a massive difference in the education of young children. And the timing is perfect, as it has been introduced to coincide with the National Year of Reading, making the push for kids to fall in love with reading even more special.

Cllr Margaret Isherwood, who is the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, really captured the spirit of it all. She said: “Reading for pleasure is one of the most powerful things we can give a child. This renewed offer supports our schools with practical, inspiring ways to get children excited about books every day.”

And she’s got a point. It’s not just about being able to read words on a page. “We know that reading can help with vocabulary, concentration and a child’s imagination. By making reading more accessible and more enjoyable, the offer helps create habits that can benefit pupils throughout their education.” It’s about building confidence and giving children tools that will help them for the rest of their lives. The enjoyment they get from a good story is just the beginning.

What's actually on offer?

So, what does this new plan look like in practice? The Schools Library Service has cleverly set up a two-level offer, making it easy for different schools to get involved. It’s available for local primary and infant schools, academies, and even early years settings. Think of it like a menu where you can pick what works best for you.

• The Light-Touch Package: This is perfect for schools that already have a good setup but could do with a bit of expert guidance. It includes training for staff and general library support to help them make the most of what they’ve got.

• The Comprehensive Package: This is the all-in option. It’s a more hands-on approach where the library service provides tailored book selections, which means choosing books that will really click with the students. It also includes class sets and themed reading collections to tie in with school projects, providing fantastic curriculum support.

Both options are designed to give teachers better tools to build children's confidence and foster a genuine enjoyment of reading. It’s about making the school library a vibrant hub of stories and imagination, a place where children want to be. The service provides the expertise that schools might not have in-house, ensuring the book selections are fresh, diverse, and exciting.

All aboard gerri giraffe’s book bus!

Now, this is the part that sounds seriously cool. Schools that go for the full membership get termly visits from Gerri Giraffe’s Book Bus. Imagine a colourful bus pulling up at your school, filled to the brim with an ever-changing selection of brilliant books. It turns choosing a book from a simple task into a memorable event. It’s a bit like the ice cream van, but instead of a 99 Flake, you get a new adventure to take home. This is a fantastic way to encourage children to explore different authors and genres they might not have picked up otherwise.

Cllr Hannah Appleyard, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, explained the vision perfectly. “This is about giving every school the tools, expertise and inspiration to help children fall in love with reading. The Book Bus and our wider support are designed to make that as easy and enjoyable as possible.” It’s a great example of how culture and leisure can link up with education to create something really positive for the community. Encouraging reading is a sport for the mind, building skills and imagination.

Making a real difference at jerry clay academy

This isn't just a nice idea on paper; it's already working. A number of Wakefield schools are already involved, including the Jerry Clay Academy and Jerry Clay English Hub in Wrenthorpe. They’ve been working closely with the service and have seen some amazing results. The school has reported that pupils are much more interested in books, the curriculum support has been stronger, and there’s a much more vibrant reading culture across the board.

The headteacher from Jerry Clay Academy, Tony Palin, has seen the impact firsthand. He said: “Working with the Schools Library Service has made a tangible difference to our reading culture. The carefully curated book collections and the excitement generated by the Book Bus help children see reading as something joyful, not just part of the timetable. We’ve seen pupils talk more about books, recommend them to friends and choose to read more often, which is exactly what we want for lifelong readers.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Tracy Swinburne OBE, the Strategic English Hub Lead. “Reading for pleasure is the foundation of strong literacy development. The refreshed offer supports schools to build rich reading environments and equips staff with practical strategies that really work in classrooms. Services like this strengthen the consistency of reading provision across the district and ensure more children experience high-quality texts every day.” It’s clear this initiative is helping create a space where children can truly fall in love with reading, setting them up for a brighter future.