It was crowned regional winner for the south west in the Library of the Year category, placing the service among the top library authorities across the UK and Ireland.
The prestigious awards, sponsored by DK and run in association with The Reading Agency, celebrate libraries that demonstrate exceptional commitment to their communities through creativity, innovation and impactful outreach.
This year’s regional and country winners were selected from a shortlist of 42 finalists announced last month.
Cornwall impressed judges with its ‘Community Cohesion and Library Alchemy’ projects, designed to support Afghan families resettled in the area.
The initiative focused on welcoming new arrivals while encouraging local residents to play an active role in community integration. Judges praised the project as a powerful example of how libraries can strengthen social bonds and serve as “vital community anchors.”
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judging panel, said this year’s winning libraries exemplified how reading initiatives can reach and inspire diverse groups.
“Libraries are at the heart of our reading culture,” he said. “These winners show how a love of books can activate new readers and reconnect lapsed ones, from community cohesion programmes to writing projects and reading challenges.”
The announcement comes as the government confirms a funding boost of up to £150,000 for public libraries as part of the National Year of Reading. Of this, £5,000 will be shared among the five English regional Library of the Year winners, including Cornwall.
The funding is aimed at areas most in need, supporting learning, skills, and access to reading for pleasure.
Across the UK and Ireland, this year’s winners showcased imaginative approaches to community engagement — from Hull’s transition reading programme for Year 6 pupils, to Neath Port Talbot’s children’s festival, to Oxgangs Library’s Secret Santa scheme supporting prisoners at HMP Edinburgh.
Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, said the winners demonstrated “the transformative power of libraries to engage communities in meaningful, lasting ways.”
The overall Library of the Year winner will be announced at The British Book Awards ceremony on May 11.
2026 British Book Awards – Library of the Year Regional & Country Winners
- Island of Ireland: Twin Towns Library (Donegal)
- London: Southwark Libraries
- Midlands: Warwickshire Libraries
- North England: Hull Libraries (Hull Culture and Leisure)
- Scotland: Oxgangs Library
- East & South‑East England: West Sussex Library Service
- South‑West England: Cornwall Libraries
- Wales: Neath Port Talbot Library Service
