GO ALL IN

National Year of Reading 2026

In 2026, the National Year of Reading is reconnecting reading with the things that already inspire us

from playlists and football matches to films, food and family time. It’s reading that fits how we live, not the other way around. Explore how you can join the movement at home, in your setting, or across your community.

Library Membership

Join online and get access to gain immediate access to our Virtual Library of newspapers, Magazines, Ebooks, Audiobooks, film and streaming services. Borrow up to 20 books with your library card.

We are proud to be part of

The National Year of Reading 2026!

The National Year of Reading 2026 is a UK-wide campaign designed to help more people rediscover the joy of reading. A Department for Education initiative. Supported by more than 60 passionate partners.

The National Year of Reading is being delivered by a group of literacy sector charities, and supported by Funders, Sponsors and Pledge Partners.

Redbridge Book Awards 2026

On Thursday 16 April, we proudly hosted the 22nd Redbridge Book Awards at Redbridge Town Hall. This year’s event was especially meaningful as it aligned with Go All In: The National Year of Reading 2026 – a UK-wide campaign encouraging more people to make reading a regular part of their lives.

Read full article here

Clubs

Wanstead Wordsmiths

Discover a welcoming space to write, share and celebrate poetry and prose.

Whether you’re an experienced writer or completely new to creative expression, this monthly group offers an inspiring and supportive environment for all.

No experience required, all welcome.

Suitable for young people and adults.

The Blend Space

A relaxed and welcoming space for adults to write, create, connect and share stories through poetry, journaling and art.

All adults welcome. This will take place every fortnight.

What to expect:

Creative writing prompts
Journaling and poetry
Art activities
Story sharing space
Social, relaxed atmosphere

Weekly Events

Stories, Rhymes and Songs

Babies love books so it’s never too early to bring your child to the library. Enjoy stories and songs together with your child and meet other parents and children.

These weekly events last for approximately 20-30 minutes and are suitable for under 5s’

During busy periods, we may need to limit numbers to accommodate everyone safely.

Children’s Reading Group

Location: Hainault Library

Come along and read with our friendly Reading Buddy volunteer.

The reading group runs every Monday during school term time.

Past Events

Creative Writing Workshop with Barbara Nadel

Dates: Friday 20 March
Time: 18:00 – 19:30

Location: Redbridge Central Library

Redbridge Libraries and Creative Mashup are proud to welcome award winning crime writer Barbara Nadel.

Barbara published her first crime novel over 25 years ago and has since built an impressive body of work, establishing herself as one of the UK’s most respected voices in crime fiction. With extensive experience in the genre, she brings deep insight into crafting atmosphere, building suspense, and shaping unforgettable characters.

Holding a degree in psychology and having trained as an actress, Barbara combines her understanding of human behaviour with a strong sense of drama and storytelling. Her unique background, along with her award winning writing career, makes this workshop a great opportunity for any aspiring authors.

Join us as Barbara guides participants through the world of crime writing—This session promises to inspire, challenge, and encourage anyone with a passion for writing crime fiction.

An Evening with Barbara Nadel

Dates: Wednesday 4 March
Time: 18:00 – 19:30
Location: Gants Hill Library

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Barbara Nadel, the acclaimed author behind the hugely popular Inspector Ikmen series and the gripping Arnold & Hakim mysteries.

We’re delighted to welcome her back to Redbridge Libraries for an exclusive event. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet one of the most beloved authors in British Crime.
Whether you’re a long time fan or just discovering her books, this is your chance to delve into the mind behind some of crime fiction’s most compelling characters.
Join us for a Q&A session with Barbara, where you can dive into the world of detectives and private investigators.

Prepare your questions, bring your curiosity, and join us for an what promises to be a memorable evening!

The image features a close-up of the authors face, smiling gently, with short dark hair and a warm expression. Alongside the cover of a children's book titled Love Is All We Need by Krina Patel-Sage. The book cover displays a colorful heart made of rainbow letters with the title in bold, bright colors, surrounded by illustrations of diverse children holding hands.

Author Event with Krina Patel-Sage

Date: Wednesday 18 February
Location: Gants Hill Library

Join author and illustrator Krina Patel-Sage for a celebration of love in all its forms!

On Wednesday 18 February, She’ll be reading from her picture book Love Is All We Need, about a diverse group of children and their families as they show love to each other and the wider community in different ways. Then join in with a colourful 3D paper heart craft activity.

Krina Patel-Sage is an author, illustrator and designer from London. Her books focus on community, friendship and kindness, striving to build resilience and self confidence in children. Her book Watch Me Bloom was on the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge list which took her on a fun journey, making flower crowns with lots of children over the summer!

Free, but booking essential – or buy a signed copy of the book for £10.00!

For ages 3-7 years

Split-image promotional graphic. On the left, a close-up portrait of a bearded person with light eyes looking directly at the camera against a green outdoor background. On the right, a vintage-style photo of several shirtless men embracing on a beach. Overlaid text reads ‘Fire Island’ with the subtitle ‘A Queer History,’ framed by diagonal orange and purple graphic accents.

Fire Island - In Conversation with Jack Parlett

Date: Wednesday 11 February
Time: 18:45 – 20:00
Location: Wanstead Library

Join author Jack Parlett for an informative discussion on his most recent book Fire Island – A Queer History.

Lyrical and vivid, Fire Island is a deeply personal exploration of an iconic destination, and to the men and women whose ardour and determination spread freedom across its shores.

Jack Parlett is the author of The Poetics of Cruising: Queer Visual Culture from Whitman to Grindr (2022), Fire Island: A Queer History (2022) and the forthcoming Flamboyance: The Art of Burning Brightly (2026). He received a PhD in English Literature from Cambridge University in 2019, and he has held fellowships and residencies at University College, Oxford and Harvard University. His poetry includes the pamphlet Same Blue, Different You (2020), and his critical writing has appeared in the New Yorker, Document Journal, Granta, Boston Review, Literary Hub and elsewhere.

Author Event with Nathanael Lessore

Date: Thursday 5 February
Time: 13:30
Location: Town Hall

45-60 minutes, plus book signing

SCHOOLS ONLY (Suitable for KS3 Years 7 – 9 )

Loading events...

Renew & Reserve
AI Assistant