The initiative is part of the wider National Year of Reading campaign, which encourages islanders to “Go All In” and rediscover reading for pleasure.

With the Festival’s 2026 programme celebrating great writing and big ideas for another year, the Community Book Nook brings that spirit into an everyday space, with the aim of making reading more visible and accessible in day to day life.

Claire Allen, Festival Director, said: “Reading shouldn’t just be confined to classrooms or quiet corners at home. It is something we can do, wherever we are. Whether you have ten minutes before a flight or half an hour to spare waiting to collect your children from school, picking up a book is a valuable way to use those small pockets of time, particularly when it’s so easy to default to scrolling on our phones.

“We are so grateful to Rathbones for sponsoring this project, as well as to the team at Guernsey Ports for their support in making this happen. Partnerships like this allow us to extend the reach of the Festival beyond our traditional venues and into the community.”

The installation comes ahead of the 2026 Festival, which takes place from 23 April to 7 May.

Passengers are invited to browse and enjoy a book during their time in the departure lounge, helping create a calm and welcoming reading space within the terminal.

David Buddery, Commercial Development Manager at  Guernsey Ports said:

“The airport is often the beginning or end of someone’s journey, so it matters that the experience feels welcoming and reflective of the island. The Guernsey Literary Festival plays an important role in celebrating reading and creativity locally, and the Community Book Nook is a simple but thoughtful addition to departures. 

“We enjoy finding ways to share Guernsey’s creativity with the people who pass through our terminals. From displaying the winning Poems on the Move entries each year, to our murals, and hosting live performances during busy travel periods, these touches help create a more interesting and welcoming environment for people travelling through our Ports. We are very pleased to support the National Year of Reading by helping make books more visible and accessible within the terminal.”

The National Year of Reading is a major UK-wide campaign designed to encourage children and adults to read more. In Guernsey the campaign is being led by the Guille-Alles Library, the States of Guernsey, the Guernsey Literary Festival, Bright Beginnings and Guernsey Arts. 

During the Guernsey Literary Festival, a special panel event will take place as part of the campaign. ‘A conversation on the National Year of Reading’ will see former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child join writer Horatio Clare and Honorary Festival Chairman Sir Terry Waite for a discussion chaired by Toby Lichtig of the Times Literary Supplement. The conversation will focus on the urgency of the campaign, the power of books in shaping lives, and the practical steps that can be taken to strengthen reading at home, in schools and across the community.

Tiffany Gervaise-Brazier, Senior Investment Director, from Rathbones said: “We recognise how important reading is, not only for education but for wellbeing, imagination and connection. Being able to support an initiative like the Community Book Nook, which makes books freely available in such a visible public space, is something we are very proud of.

“The National Year of Reading is a wonderful opportunity to encourage people of all ages to rediscover reading for pleasure, and we are delighted to support the Guernsey Literary Festival in helping to make that happen. We are also pleased to be providing community book bundles as part of the Festival’s National Year of Reading panel event, helping to extend the impact of the campaign beyond the discussion itself.”