our projects
ReadingPoland
#READINGPOLAND
For the promotion of reading books in Poland
WHO WE ARE
We are an informal coalition of people, institutions and companies united by the awareness that the future of Poland depends on how well we manage to raise the level of reading.
OUR DREAM
We want every child (and then adult) in Poland to be able to realize their full potential. Numerous studies confirm that the private activity of reading books translates into improved life chances for the individual and – consequently – huge social benefits: an increase in the number of citizens participating in social and economic life, an increase in the scientific, economic and innovative potential of the country.
ACTIONS
Since 2021, we have been working together, in workshops, with a focus on taking into account voices from different parts of Poland, sectors and levels of the hierarchy of our organizations. We are developing ideas for activities, the implementation of which will result in the desired change, i.e. contribute to the popularization of reading. We are working on a strategy for universal reading; ideas for the functioning of books in schools, in the commune, in the company.
PROFESSIONALISM
We believe that change is possible. We know that it requires broad cooperation, wise reflection and operational efficiency. That is why we conduct talks in an organized and constructive manner. We look for solutions that are substantively justified and those that will have the greatest impact because they implement the impact at the source of the problem.
EFFECTS
Joint work and efforts are bringing results
ZABRZE DECLARATION
In March 2024, it was signed in our presence ""The Zabrze Declaration", in which Zabrze was the first city in Poland to commit to truly holistic work for reading: in all city departments, including training and reading workshops for office employees. This is exactly what we are talking about and striving for. We thank the City of Zabrze for understanding and introducing such an unprecedented change in approach. We invite other local governments to cooperate.
SUPERPOWER OF BOOKS
Publications from the series "The Superpower of Books", around which our Coalition was founded, have become a vehicle for building a network of cooperation between many organizations: large and small, institutional, non-governmental and business. The latest of them is „Supermoc Książek: #TataTeżCzyta” (w ramach kampanii #TataTeżCzyta)
Each of our meetings is another dose of inspiration and knowledge, which translates into various point activities, such as activating doctors for reading in Choszczno or a city picnic for families under the slogan #TataTeżCzyta in Zakopane.
PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON READING AND COPYRIGHT
In February 2024, the Sejm Committee on Culture and Media established a permanent Subcommittee on Reading and Copyright. We are pleased with this decision, the "Reading Poland" Coalition hopes to support the work of the Subcommittee with its knowledge and developed ideas for the development of reading in Poland.
READING SCHOOL
W sierpniu 2024 roku opublikowaliśmy publikację ekspercką "Reading School" napisaną w całości przez ekspertów-wolontariuszy Czytającej Polski. (Czytająca Szkoła)
READING POLAND IN THE POLISH PARLIAMENT
In May 2025, Maria Deskur, President of FPC, was invited to a meeting of the Committee on Culture and Media of the Polish Parliament to present the idea of Reading Poland. We invite you to watch the session on the official website of the Polish Parliament.
VOIVODESHIP PROGRAM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF READING
In 2025, the first Voivodeship Program for the Development of Reading in Poland was launched in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, prepared in cooperation with URF and the Reading Poland Coalition.
CERTIFIED COURSE SUPPORTING CIVIC EDUCATION, CRITICAL THINKING, AND RESILIENCE TO DISINFORMATION
The Universal Reading Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of National Education, has launched an innovative online course for teachers, educators, caregivers, and students planning to work with children, addressing one of the most important challenges in today’s schools. The free training is available on the Navoica platform.
KOALICJANCI
The "Reading Poland” participants:
Institutions: National Library, National Centre for Culture, Book Institute, Ministry of National Education – operators of the National Reading Development Programme 2.0, Gdynia Cultural Centre, Wrocław House of Literature, Krakow Festival Office, Goyki 3 Art Inkubator, Centre for Education Development;
Gdański Dom Literatury, Zamojska Akademia Kultury;
Local governments and local government organizations: Gdańsk, Kraków, Strumień, Warszawa, Wrocław, Zabrze, Zakopane, Unia Metropolii Polskich, Związek Gmin
Wiejskich RP, Rozczytana aglomeracja, Poznański Zespół Żłobków;
Provincial and Municipal Public Libraries: WBP Olsztyn, WBPiCAK w Poznaniu, MBP Zabrze, MBP Wrocław, MBP Choszczno, MBP Dąbrowa Górnicza, MBP Zakopane, MBP Wisła, MVP Radom, MBP Kielce, Biblioteka w Mieścisku;
Business: Wydawnictwo Mamania, Wydawnictwo Nowa Era, Księgarnia Mamy To, Legimi, Lubimyczytac.pl, OSDW Azymut, Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie, Wydawnictwo Agora, Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, Rossmann;
Foundations and Associations: Fundacja Powszechnego Czytania, CzasDzieci, Edico, Centrum Edukacji Obywatelskiej, Festiwal Stolica Języka Polskiego, Szkoła Edukacji UW i PAFW, Polska Izba Książki, Stowarzyszenie Tłumaczy Literatury, Fundacja Rozwoju Dzieci im. Komeńskiego, Fundacja Dom Książki w Poznaniu;
Education system units: Regionalny Ośrodek Metodyczno-Edukacyjny Metis, Psychologia Edukacyjna, Szkoła Podstawowa nr 33 z Oddziałami Dwujęzycznymi im. Stanisława Ligonia w Katowicach, Liceum ogólnokształcące nr VII we Wrocławiu;
The work of the “Reading Poland” initiative is coordinated by: The Universal Reading Foundation, the Office of the Mayor of Gdańsk for Culture, the Polish Chamber of Books, the Wrocław House of Literature | Wrocław UNESCO City of Literature and the KBF | Kraków UNESCO City of Literature.
Work with us!
MEETINGS
WORKSHOPS
Spotkanie w Łodzi 2026
LUBLIN 2025
OLSZTYN 2025
POZNAN 2024
ZABRZE 2024
WARSAW 2023
WROCLAW 2022
SOPOT 2022
CRACOW 2021
WARSAW 2020
COORDINATORS
Reading Poland Regional Coordinators – inviting you to get in touch and collaborate!
WEST POMERANIAN AND POMERANIAN VOIVODESHIPS:
Katarzyna Jezierska,
e-mail: [email protected]
KATARZYNA JEZIERSKA
A librarian actively involved in promoting reading, social integration, and building local identity. Initiator of reading and theater projects that connect literature with education, health, ecology, and history. For the past three years, she has led the team at the Maria Dąbrowska Municipal Public Library in Choszczno, which serves as a county library. A graduate of the Świętokrzyska Academy in Kielce, she is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in “Cultural Institution Management.” She is a member of the Reading Poland Coalition, the Polish Librarians Association, the Association of Library Directors, the Choszczno Association “Book Plus,” and the Library Theater Project. She has participated in nationwide SBP projects co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and collaborates with local authorities in developing strategies.
WARMIAN-MASURIAN AND PODLASKIE VOIVODESHIPS:
Adrianna Walendziak,
email: [email protected]
AdriannA Walendziak
A librarian, long-time instructor, and later Head of the Analysis and Regional Cooperation Department at the Voivodeship Public Library in Olsztyn, now serving as its director. A graduate of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, and the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Sopot Campus). Participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program run by the U.S. Department of State. Author, co-author, and coordinator of numerous projects supporting library development, professional training for librarians, and strengthening the role of public libraries as welcoming and socially engaged spaces. Member of the Reading Poland Coalition, the Polish Librarians Association, and the “Areszt Sztuki” Association. Values relationships, inner harmony, and good collaboration. Outside of work, devoted to nature, books, and shared moments.
LUBUSZ AND GREATER POLAND VOIVODESHIPS:
Monika Majewska-Szymkowiak,
e-mail: [email protected]
Monika Majewska-Szymkowiak
A librarian and graduate of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. She is the initiator and co-author of cultural events promoting reading, such as author meet-and-greets and literary workshops, which engage the local community and inspire the discovery of new books. In her work, she places a strong emphasis on innovative approaches to promoting literature, utilizing modern technologies and interactive forms of communication. As an author of articles, she shares her observations and ideas on library development and reading education. She is a recipient of the Young Positivist Medal for her outstanding contribution to the development of culture and education. In her free time, she is passionate about literature and art, constantly seeking new inspiration for her work.
LUBLIN AND SUBCARPATHIAN VOIVODESHIPS:
Piotr Duda,
e-mail: [email protected]
Piotr Duda
Theatrical producer and director of the Stolica Języka Polskiego Festival. Founder and President of the Creative Space Art Foundation, and the originator of the idea to create a literary and language festival in Szczebrzeszyn. He advocates for cultural projects that carry innovative potential and stimulate the development of the creative sector. He studied theater studies, was born in Szczebrzeszyn, and is one of the first independent theatrical producers in Poland. He co-founded, among others, Teatr Montownia and Centralny Basen Artystyczny. He is the creator of the Gorzkie Żale Festival in Warsaw (now known as New Epiphanies). From 2012 to 2016, he served as the artistic director of the Mazovian Theatre. Together with Ivan Vyrypayev, he co-created the WEDA project. Member of the Reading Poland Coalition.
LOWER SILESIAN AND OPOLSKIE VOIVODESHIPS:
Anna Janus,
e-mail: [email protected]
Anna Janus
Manager and Director of the Tadeusz Różewicz Municipal Public Library in Wrocław. From 2018 to 2022, she served as Deputy Director for Programmatic Affairs at the library, and until 2017, she led the Wrocław Mediateka. Between 2002 and 2007, she implemented the “Library for Young Clients Aged 13–25” project in collaboration with the Bertelsmann Foundation. A subject-matter expert in library operations and development, she publishes in professional journals. She actively seeks new ways to reach non-readers. Member of the Reading Poland Coalition. Co-organizer of the Living Library Wrocław since 2007, and a trainer in anti-discrimination education and human rights education. Advocate of various forms of dialogue as methods for building understanding without violence.
SILESIAN AND LESSER POLAND VOIVODESHIPS
Karolina Ciemniewska,
e-mail: [email protected]
Karolina Ciemniewska
A teacher-librarian and graduate in Library Science and Polish Philology from the University of Silesia. She manages the library at Primary School No. 1 named after Paweł Stalmach in Wisła and co-develops the children’s and youth section of the Jan Śniegoń Municipal Public Library. She is the initiator and coordinator of the nationwide campaign “Advent Reading for the Holidays.” In her work, she emphasizes community building and equalizing educational opportunities through read-aloud sessions. She believes that not every child must love books, but every child should have the chance to love them. She believes in change on a micro scale, which is why she consistently works locally, using literature to empower children and foster relationships. In the Reading Poland Coalition, she values diversity, which translates into mutual inspiration and tangible support for reading promotion initiatives.
SILESIAN AND LESSER POLAND VOIVODESHIPS
Tomasz Iwasiów,
e-mail: [email protected]
Tomasz Iwasiow
A graduate of Jagiellonian University and the Pontifical University of Kraków. He has spent nearly his entire professional life working with books, gaining experience in bookstores, antiquarian shops, and book wholesalers. Since 2008, he has served as the Director of the Municipal Library in Zabrze. He is the editor of several publications dedicated to Silesia, including an eight-volume history of Zabrze’s districts—the only work of its kind in Poland. He is also the author of numerous articles on broadly understood culture. He has been associated with the Reading Poland Coalition from the very beginning. For his contributions to reading and culture, he has received multiple awards, including the Badge of Merit for Polish Culture from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage and the Silver Cross of Merit from the President of the Republic of Poland. Beyond books, he enjoys jazz and birdwatching.
WE INVITE YOU TO COLLABORATE
We are looking for pro-reading activists interested in working as coordinators in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Łódź, and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships. Please send your applications to [email protected]