The Queen’s Reading Room Medal

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal celebrates individuals who have championed reading, books and literature in their communities.

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal

Nominate your
reading hero

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal celebrates individuals who have championed reading, books and literature in their communities. Nominations will be accepted from April 1st 2025

Nominate

The Queen’s Reading Room Medal celebrates individuals who have championed reading, books and literature in their communities.

They might be an individual, or a volunteer for an organisation, but the quality which makes them outstanding is their commitment to spreading the joy of storytelling. Winners might have founded reading groups; worked to improve access and usage of local libraries; facilitated the donation of books to groups or individuals in need; created or produced local literary events, or have an outstanding volunteering record in the reading space.

Their contribution will have made a demonstrable impact on the people they serve: improving literacy, transforming non-readers into readers, or helping to improve wellbeing by connecting people with other book lovers. Their impact may be connected to literacy but the key impact is around increasing reading.

By spotlighting and celebrating these individuals, we seek to champion those ordinary people who make an extraordinary impact where they live or work. We are particularly keen to emphasise the positive impact to wellbeing – particularly mental health and social connection – which books can help bring in a community.

Our Judges

Nominations will be accepted from April 1st 2025. The award has attracted a stellar judging panel consisting of figures from across the publishing industry including Jonathan Douglas (CEO of The National Literacy Trust), Dan Conway (CEO of The Publishers Association), Nels Abbey (Founder of The Black British Writers Guild), Dame Gail Rebuck (Chair of Penguin Random House), Alison Tweed (CEO of Book Aid International), Sarah Mears (Programmes Director for Libraries Connected), and Ann Cleeves (author and Founder of Reading for Wellbeing).

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who can be nominated?

    Anybody over the age of eighteen can nominate themselves or another person for The Queen’s Reading Room Medal.

  • Who can put forward a nominee?

    Anybody over the age of eighteen can nominate themselves or another person for The Queen’s Reading Room Medal

  • Can I nominate myself?

    Yes you can.

  • How do I submit a nomination?

    Click on the NOMINATE NOW button, if you have any issues please email info@thequeensreadingroom.co.uk, applications close at the end of December 2025.

  • What information will I need to submit a nomination?

    You will need to supply your name, email, the nominees name, contact details and why you are nominating them.

  • What are you looking for in a nominee?

    We are looking for the unsung reading heroes of the UK – the individuals who have gone above and beyond to promote reading and literature in their communities. Winners might have founded reading groups; worked to improve access and usage of local libraries; facilitated the donation of books to groups or individuals in need; created or produced local literary events, or have an outstanding volunteer record in the reading space – whatever their contribution, you must be able to demonstrate that their work has positively impacted others.

  • What period of work should the nomination cover?

    This work should have taken place during 2025

  • Who will be judging the awards?

    The nominations will be shortlisted by the Queen’s Reading Room Team and then presented to a panel consisting of figures from across the publishing industry including Jonathan Douglas (CEO, National Literary Trust), Dan Conway (The Publisher’s Association), Nels Abby (The Black British Writers Guild) and Dame Gail Rebuck (Penguin Random House)

  • What do you win?

    Winners will be presented with a unique Queen’s Reading Room Medal.

Nominate your choice

Nominate here

With Thanks To

Worcestershire Medals Limited

We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Worcestershire Medals Limited who have graciously supported The Queen’s Reading Room Medal. As Royal Warrant holders since 2008, Worcestershire Medals are suppliers of insignia to many Governments around the world