The Future of Reading was a research project to engage people in a debate about the role and value of reading, and how it can best be encouraged in a digital age. The report builds on what we learned about the value of the arts through the arts debate , and reveals a number of interesting findings about reading including:

• The importance of reading as an individual, creative experience and its perceived benefits of enjoyment, escape, empathy and overall wellbeing
• The reasons why people choose not to read, from a lack of time or interest to a fear of being too ‘drawn in’ to another world 
• That all forms of reading are seen as valid and valuable and that people don’t want to be patronised or dictated to about what they choose to read 
• Ideas for how individuals and organisations, particularly libraries, can help to promote reading by tapping into a universal interest in good stories

The research will feed into the development of a new focus to promote and deliver a vision for reading, involving the Arts Council, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and The Reading Agency . It will also inform the literature elements of the Arts Council’s future strategy.

To download the full report and appendices visit the re-launched arts debate website .