Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Library Service is supporting the national initiative, Wee Read, with a simple, distinctly Scottish invitation to read whatever kind of material appeals to you as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
Ahead of the reading moment on Wednesday 7 October, people across the country are being encouraged to make one simple pledge: to read. That could mean setting aside five minutes or fifty, discovering a new author or genre, revisiting an old favourite or sharing a story with someone else.
Whether it’s a few pages or a whole book, a comic, magazine, newspaper, recipe or poem, every read counts.
Councillor John Campbell, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Enabling and Customer Services Committee, said:
“Reading doesn’t need to be complicated. It might be a few chapters of a book, the newspaper, a magazine or sharing a story with your children or grandchildren.
“Wee Read is simply asking people to put aside a little bit of time on 7 October and enjoy something they want to read. I hope plenty of people across Dumfries and Galloway will join in.”
Councillor Ben Dashper, Vice-Chair of the committee, said:
“Our libraries right across Dumfries and Galloway give people free access to an enormous range of things to read, whether that’s books, newspapers and magazines or digital material.
“Wee Read is a good opportunity to celebrate that and perhaps discover something different. However and whatever you choose to read, the important thing is simply to take part and enjoy it.”
Wee Read is for everyone, whatever your age, ability or interests – you don’t have to think of yourself as a ‘reader’ to take part.
Local libraries are at the heart of the campaign, helping people discover something they’ll enjoy and explore the huge range of free reading materials, resources and activities available – from books and eBooks to newspapers, magazines and more.
Alison Nolan, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), said:
“Wee Read is a simple invitation to everyone in Scotland to discover – or rediscover – the joy of reading. There is no right or wrong way to take part and every read counts, whether that’s a few minutes with a favourite magazine, sharing a story with a child or getting lost in a great book.
“With a target of 50,000 pledges, we hope people of all ages and interests will get involved, visit their local library and join Scotland for a Wee Read on 7 October.”
Everyone is invited to join in. Make your pledge at WeeRead.scot, visit your local library to find your next read and join Scotland for a Wee Read on Wednesday 7 October.