Libraries across Northern Ireland get ready for a packed Book Week NI

Libraries across Northern Ireland are preparing for a week of books, writers, conversations and activities as Book Week NI returns from 19–25 October 2026.

The annual celebration of books and reading, a joint initiative between Libraries NI and BBC Northern Ireland, will see a wide-ranging programme of events taking place in libraries across Northern Ireland, bringing readers together with leading writers, local authors and new voices.

This year's Libraries NI programme spans fiction, crime, poetry, history, cookery, family events, creative workshops and much more, with opportunities for people of different ages and interests to get involved.

Among the writers and guests appearing during the week are John Banville, Donal Ryan, Colin Bateman, Martina Devlin, Janice Hallett, Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen and a host of local writers and contributors.

Book Week NI opens on Monday 19 October with events including (Probably) The Greatest Irish Books Ever Written at Belfast Central Library, where Wendy Erskine, Tara West and Irish Times Books Editor Martin Doyle will join John Self to tackle one particularly difficult question – what is the greatest Irish book ever written?

Elsewhere during the week, audiences can hear John Banville discuss his latest novel, Venetian Vespers, at Armagh City Library; Donal Ryan will talk about his new book, Where Are the Kings, at Derry Central Library and Martina Devlin will discuss Glorious Monsters in Omagh.

Crime readers are also well catered for, with appearances from Colin Bateman and Janice Hallett, while The Agatha Christie Effect at Carrickfergus Library will see Hallett and fellow crime writer Sam Blake join BBC presenter Kerry McLean to explore the enduring influence of the Queen of Crime.

Families and younger readers can get involved too, with activities including The Belfast Fairytale Family Bus Tour, taking readers through locations featured in Mel Carroll's The Belfast Fairytale, and a children's book-themed art workshop with illustrator Sarah Majury at Saintfield Library.

A major focus of the week will be Love Your Library Day on Wednesday 21 October, when all 96 Libraries NI libraries will celebrate the books, people, places and possibilities that make libraries special.

Customers, staff, partners and stakeholders will be encouraged to get involved and share what they love about their library, helping to shine a light on the many ways libraries are used and valued by communities across Northern Ireland.

Jim O’Hagan, Libraries NI Chief Executive said:

“Book Week NI gives us a wonderful opportunity to bring people together around books and reading, and this year's programme really does offer something for a wide range of interests.

“Across the seven days, our libraries will welcome writers, readers, families and communities for conversations, activities and experiences that we hope will encourage people to discover new books and perhaps try something they haven't read before.

“We are particularly looking forward to Love Your Library Day. Our libraries mean different things to different people and we want Wednesday 21 October to be an opportunity for our customers, staff and communities to tell us what they value about their library and to celebrate everything libraries bring to communities across Northern Ireland.

“We hope people will explore the programme, find something that interests them and join us during Book Week NI.”

Alongside events taking place in libraries, Book Week NI will also include online and digital content, providing further opportunities for people to participate and enjoy the week.

The full Book Week NI 2026 programme, including event details and booking information, is available here. All events are FREE to attend.

Book Week NI runs from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 October 2026.