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This paper aims to discuss the government sponsored National Year of Reading (NYR) campaign in the UK in 2008 which provided an opportunity for public libraries to be in the political limelight as key partners.

Nationally the NYR was promoted as a social marketing campaign with specific target audiences. Reports on a MLA funded research project in Yorkshire which used the generic social outcomes (GSO) framework to look at the impact of NYR in two public library authorities.

The article discusses the positive interventions by librarians in facilitating and leading change during the NYR campaign and beyond. However there are challenges in working in partnership activities. The findings using the GSO framework show considerable evidence of NYR related activities in supporting the three first‐tier social outcomes: “stronger and safer communities”, “health and well‐being”, and “strengthening public life.”

Using the NYR activities, the GSO framework helped show how libraries can contribute to diverse agendas and demonstrate their value in the community. Public library authorities could use this evidence for planning and for advocacy with a range of audiences including local and central government.

This study provides an account of how the NYR had an impact on the visibility of reading in communities and the analysis of the evidence gives an indication of the enthusiasm and professionalism involved in delivering the campaign.