Big Borough Read

The Ards and North Down Big Borough Read project is part of a wider ambition to create a Reading Borough — a place where reading is visible, valued and part of everyday life for people of all ages.

Led by Ards and North Down Borough Council and supported by Libraries NI and local partners, the project encourages more reading, by more people, in more places. At its heart is a simple idea: reading should be easy to access, enjoyable and fit naturally into daily life — encouraging everyone to make time to Read for 15.

What is Read for 15?

Read for 15 is a key part of the Big Borough Read It invites everyone to spend just fifteen minutes a day reading — in any format and in any place.

Not a whole book.
Not a set target.
Just fifteen minutes that works for you.

A chapter, a magazine, a newspaper, a poem or an audiobook all count.

Taking libraries into the community

As part of Read for 15, libraries are going beyond their buildings and into local communities, hosting talks and placing small collections of books in shared community spaces including Portaferry and Bangor Foodbanks. These informal bookshelves make it easy to pick something up, try reading for pleasure and see books as part of everyday surroundings.

Why fifteen minutes matters

Reading for a short time each day can:
• support wellbeing and reduce stress
• improve focus, concentration and memory
• build language skills and confidence
• encourage curiosity and lifelong learning

Libraries make reading easy

Alongside community book collections in the Ards and North Down Borough area, local libraries offer free access to books, large-print formats, newspapers and a wide range of digital reading through the Libby app.

The Borough Reading Project isn’t about rules or targets. It’s about making reading part of everyday life — in ways that feel realistic, enjoyable and inclusive.