Visitors to parks in Leeds are being encouraged to listen to stories while they take a stroll this summer through the new ‘Walking Books’ project.
The hope is to introduce reading to new audiences with free eAudiobooks and promote wellbeing.
Librarians in the city have created a new reading list specially designed for people walking in the park, so visitors can listen to a story that is the length of a stroll around the park or try out titles themed around mindfulness.
The list of short books, poems and stories can be found on the BorrowBox app, which is entirely free with a library card. Borrowbox allows you to download up to six ebooks or eaudio books to your own device, with thousands of titles for all ages and tastes to choose from.
eAudiobooks can promote reading by introducing books to those who might not otherwise engage with them, such as reluctant readers or those with reading difficulties. They can also help remove barriers around reading for children and help them access more advanced stories by listening to them.
Leeds Libraries secured a £5,000 project grant award from the National Acquisitions Group to encourage more people in the city to listen to books and boost their wellbeing in local green spaces.
Dawn Stanley-Donaghy, the librarian behind the project, said:
“We know that being in nature is good for mental health and so is reading, even for just a few minutes. ‘Walking Books’ is encouraging people to go out and enjoy our parks and be present in the moment by listening to a story or a poem.
“Some of our libraries are very close to parks, so it is a great opportunity to remind people using the parks for a walk that they can download eAudiobooks for free.”
The reading list is live on the Borrowbox app, and will be promoted at events over the summer, with special banners across Leeds’ parks to reach new users outside the library walls.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, and Councillor Mary Harland, executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said:
“2026 has just been announced as the national year of reading so it is the perfect time to encourage people to pick up, or download, a book.
“Reading and walking in the park are both great for mental health and we hope that this project will bring more people into our parks and our libraries.”
Get a library card and learn more at libraries.leeds.gov.uk/walking-books.
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
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