Residents in Kirkby will soon have access to a variety of new literary events as Knowsley Library Service launches its first-ever borough-wide summer literature festival. The programme, which celebrates the National Year of Reading 2026, brings a range of author talks and creative workshops to local branches, including Kirkby Library, throughout June.
The festival officially gets underway on 18 May 2026 at Huyton Library with an event featuring award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern. Following this launch, the main festival schedule runs from 15 June to 26 June 2026. Kirkby Library is set to host two specific author sessions: Andrea Christodoulou on 15 June between 2pm and 3pm, and Sean Watkin on 24 June from 2pm to 3pm.
These activities are made possible through funding from Arts Council England via National Lottery Project Grants. The initiative is part of a wider UK effort to support public libraries during the National Year of Reading 2026, which has received financial backing from the government.
In addition to the festival, the library service is working with Read Now Write Now to provide free creative writing courses for adult beginners. These sessions begin on 12 May and will take place on Tuesdays from 1pm to 2.30pm at Kirkby Library. Furthermore, residents can participate in a six-month creative writing project titled Write in the Heart of Knowsley, which begins on 28 April and features workshops led by local writers.
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