Reading together: Why stories are better shared, from page to people

In June 2025, the National Library published a blog post titled Reading together: Why stories are better shared, from page to people, available here. Excerpts from the blog post follow:

Reading is often seen as a quiet, personal activity — something we do alone, lost in a world of words. But it's also one of the most powerful ways to connect with others. When we share our reading, we build bonds, spark conversation and create community.

Reading is private

Reading is something we often do on our own. It's invisible to others — but powerful. In silence, our eyes scan the page. Words become ideas, feelings, questions, memories, emotions and more. Reading changes our view of the world. It nourishes our imagination and inner self in a way that is unique to each individual.

Reading is social

And yet … reading can also be a powerful way to connect with others. These connections amplify the reading experience and include us in a reading community. The most effective way to achieve this is to have opportunities to talk about our reading, along with a variety of other strategies that create a social reading environment. ...

Social reading environments

Key to creating a reading community are social spaces and opportunities for conversations. We've come a long way since the idea of a library as a silent zone! Social reading environments are physically and culturally comfortable, welcoming and well-resourced. Above all, they invite participation through a range of simple activities to encourage engagement with books and reading.

A social reading environment isn't about being noisy. It's about being welcoming. It's a place where books are visible, talked about and shared.

Additional Information:

• Reading together: Why stories are better shared, from page to people