It’s almost that time of year again where everyone in the Library gets even MORE giddy about books… World Book Day is just around the corner and we want to celebrate it with you!
The Library will be hosting a range of activities on and around World Book Day during our ‘Literacy Festival’, in the hopes of encouraging you to find or nurture a love of reading.
Benefits of Reading
- Emotional development – Reading offers a safe space to connect with characters and experience new emotions. It has been argued that when we read and “emotionally connect with a character or feel immersed in a story, our own identities temporarily expand to include the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the characters” (Webber, 2024)[1].
- Health and wellbeing – The physical act of reading and engaging with a story releases neurochemicals in the brain (cortisol, endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine) (Matyas, 2021)[2]. These are sometimes referred to as the ‘feel good’ hormones due to the happy and occasionally euphoric reactions they produce (Watson, 2024)[3]. Reading can “uplift us and change our moods…a reasonable amount of positive emotion and optimism allows us to cope better…” (Field, 2021)[4].
- Knowledge – Books are a fantastic source of information. “The more that you read, the more things you will know…” (Dr. Seuss). Books can expose the reader to other cultures, beliefs and perspectives that are not part of their own lived experiences. The wealth of grammar and vocabulary gained through reading and the strengthening of students’ fundamental language skills also contribute to being able to communicate their own ideas and feelings successfully with others. “Reading…enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society”[5].
- Development of other literacy skills – Reading and writing skills arguably go hand in hand. Reading encourages creative and critical thinking and provides points of reference that can be applied to a student’s own writing experience.
[1] Webber, C. (2024). Why is reading especially important for teens? Scottish Book Trust
[2] Matyas, K. (2021) The Neurobiology of Why Your Learner’s Brain Responds to Great Storytelling
[3] Watson, S. (2024) The Feel-good Hormones: How they effect your mind, mood and body, Harvard Health Publishing.
[4] Field, B. (2021) How Storytelling Is Good for Your Mental Health, Very Well Mind
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-storytelling-is-good-for-your-mental-health-5199744
[5] National curriculum in England: English programmes of study – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What better way to kick things off than with a competition? For your chance to win a fabulous rechargeable book light simply:
Redesign the cover of your favourite book
Designs must be submitted digitally (.jpeg, .pdf, .png) and must include:
- The Book Title
- Name of the Book Author
- Description of the book (synopsis)
Send your entries to library@barnsley.ac.uk
By: Monday 3rd March
The winner will be announced on World Book Day (Thursday 6th March)
Good Luck!
Barnsley Book Festival
Barnsley Libraries are again hosting their Book Festival across Barnsley, featuring a whole host of brilliant authors, poets, writers, and artists coming
to Barnsley to celebrate a shared love for reading. Many of the events are free to attend. More information can be found on the Barnsley Library website or on their programme: Barnsley Book Festival 2025 Programme
Last updated: 3rd February 2025