More than a million library books read in Coventry’s City of Culture year

Coventry Libraries marked a milestone in May– exceeding its target to reach one million reads over its City of Culture year.

Launched by the Duchess of Cornwall and beginning in May 2021, One Million Reads Coventry (OMRC) was funded through Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants as part of the City of Culture programme and invited people to record everything they read over the year.

The project counted all formats of reading and materials loaned from libraries, and to get even more people picking up books, it also included a photographer-in-residence, five QR Code Trails and an interactive Story Bench.

An artist was commissioned to create a One Million Reads Coventry interactive digital read-o-meter installation counting the number of reads completed during Coventry’s year as City of Culture – which currently stands at 1,262,798.

Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “Libraries are trusted, creative spaces at the heart of communities, free to enter and open to all – and it’s fantastic that thanks to National Lottery funding, so many people have been inspired to read as part of this project. 

“We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved during Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture and that people from across the city have supported their local libraires and read more than a million books together.”

Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “I am delighted to hear that not only have we have reached over One Million Reads in Coventry, but exceeded it too! What a wonderful achievement for our city.  

“Over the last year, One Million Reads has helped to place reading and libraries at the heart of the City of Culture. The programme containing many events connected Coventry’s people and communities with the pleasure of reading, offering opportunities to share powerful stories.”

The City of Culture title is usually seen as an opportunity for a city to invest in its area, to put the spotlight on its history and celebrate its community, and the ambitious literary project aimed to get readers of all ages turning pages in Coventry’s libraries, universities, schools and workplaces.

Find out more about One Million Reads Coventry.