'Little Free Libraries' arrive in Peterborough - thanks to inmates at city jail
A brand new scheme aimed at helping Peterborough residents pick up a book and read has been launched – partly thanks to inmates at the city jail.
HMP Peterborough has partnered with Little Free Librarian, Dr Catherine Galloway, and Cambridge-based community charity, Abbey People, and others to build ten new Little Free Libraries for communities across Peterborough as part of the ‘Making Cambridge Reading Rich’ project.
The libraries have been designed, built and decorated by prisoners representing both the men's and women's sides at HMP Peterborough, with the first library unveiled outside of the prison during a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week.
HMP Peterborough is the first prison in the UK to host its own Little Free Library and support a project of this kind.
’Making Cambridge Reading Rich’ aims to create 50 new book-sharing boxes across underserved communities in Cambridgeshire as part of the UK National Year of Reading 2026, an initiative set up by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust.
The second Little Free Library will be installed at Outside Links, a community-based support hub run by HMP Peterborough that supports people leaving prison, people experiencing homelessness and others in the local community.
The remaining eight libraries will be installed at locations across Peterborough, including four Barnardo’s Child and Family Centres: East, First Steps, Honeyhill and Orton, with the remaining locations to be confirmed.
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One prisoner who took part in this project said they "immensely enjoyed doing this Little Library project for our community and hope we can continue contributing towards making our society a better place," while another said, "we are gifting a journey through the mind, reading keeps you free!"
The ribbon was cut by the local MP for Peterborough, Andrew Pakes, who attended and spoke at the ceremony along with business and community partners, including the National Literacy Trust, Bernardo's charity, Constructed Pathways, Peterborough United Football Club, local authors, and students from Milton Keynes College.
Dr Catherine Galloway, who leads on this project, said: “We know that bringing high-quality, free books to where people are makes a massive difference to literacy levels. Spotting something wonderful to read or donating your own favourites for others as you pass by the box makes picking up a book again very easy. In addition, 98% of people say having a Little Free Library in their neighbourhood makes it feel a friendlier place.”
Andrew Barringer, Head of Education, Skills and Work at HMP Peterborough, said: “We're delighted to be supporting this important project for the local area. Prisoners feel empowered and proud that they are involved in a project that helps people and communities in an area they can relate to which is an essential part of the rehabilitation process. We want these libraries not only to inspire people to read, but to also restore hope in communities."
Becky Marrs, Manager of the National Literacy Trust in Peterborough, said: “Through our brilliant network of Literacy Champions, six Little Free Libraries made by prisoners at HMP Peterborough have found homes in communities across our city. This will ensure people have access to books which is crucial in promoting reading for pleasure, alongside supporting their wellbeing, confidence and connection. We hope these community libraries encourage more people in Peterborough to pick up a book and find something they love reading.”