Biography
Miranda McKearney OBE is Director of The Reading Agency (TRA), the development agency for public libraries’ work with readers. TRA’s mission is to get more reading to more people, through libraries and their partners.
The agency’s work includes policy, research, advocacy and national programmes with an emphasis on innovation. It is leading an exciting programme of reading inspired partnerships for libraries, with partners as diverse as BBC Learning and Orange. Its Reading Partners pilot involves nine major publishers, and aims to revolutionise the way adult publishers work with libraries.
Since The Reading Agency came into being in 2002 it has led some powerful national library initiatives, including the summer reading challenge, the UK’s biggest annual promotion of children’s reading.
Miranda is passionate about libraries and reading. She has worked as an activist in the field for 18 years, and founded the three smaller development agencies which were merged to form TRA. She is a member of the Public Lending Right Advisory Committee and an Honorary member of the Youth Libraries Group.
Abstract
The Reading Agency is creating a national library partnerships programme to introduce new readers and learners to libraries, and make sure existing users have access to a vibrant, modernized service.
Miranda McKearney, Director, will talk about the agency’s strategy. It aims to use partnerships to encourage innovation, build profile and new audiences for libraries, inspire and up skill staff.
She will introduce guest broadcast and booktrade partners - from BBC Learning, BBC Radio, and Penguin – and outline about some big future plans.
Updated: 29 September 2005