National Year of Reading 2026 Exhibition Opportunity

RCPS has been invited by Ripon Library to collaborate on a photography exhibition for the National Year of Reading, and all RCPS members are invited to submit images for consideration.

The Brief

National Year of Reading 2026

The library is aiming to present an exhibition of prints to help reverse the decline in reading for pleasure by sharing inspirational photographs illustrating the pleasure of reading. Images will show how books can be a joyful and meaningful part of everyday life for everyone, both young and old.

The exhibition will showcase photos of books and readers in a wide range of settings (including the library). These will be varied and will include:

  • Books in all their forms and settings
  • People of all ages enjoying reading
  • The library as a welcoming space for discovery and imagination*
  • Creative links to Yorkshire literature (for example, someone absorbed in reading Wuthering Heights on Haworth Moors)

Print Exhibition

Entries will initially be submitted for consideration digitally. These will be reviewed by a special library selection panel, and authors of the successful images will be asked to provide mounted prints by [date]. Mount sizes should meet YPU exhibition requirements.

The print exhibition will be on display throughout 2026 and into 2027 – travelling to 15 other libraries across North Yorkshire over the course of the year.

Owing to logistical constraints, the exhibition is limited to 20 prints.

Digital Display

In addition to the prints, the library is also looking for 15 digital images, to be displayed on the library electronic information kiosk.

Submission Details

If printing and mounting your successful image presents a problem for any reason, please speak to a member of the RCPS Exhibition Sub Committee.

*We are currently discussing the possibility of special access to the library to allow photographs to be taken within the library.

Further details will be shared as soon as they are available. In the meantime, please note that the library has asked members not to take photographs on the premises at other times.

Members are also asked to respect GDPR requirements and to obtain any necessary written permissions or consents where required.

If you have any questions about this interesting community project please ask a member of the Exhibition Sub Committee.

Now . . . get those thinking caps on, and good luck everyone!