Leesacties

Leesacties is a Dutch term referring to organized efforts to promote reading among a population. The word Lees means "to read" and acties means "actions" or campaigns. In educational and library contexts, leesacties describe structured programs designed to increase reading engagement, literacy, and a culture of reading.

They are typically implemented by schools, public libraries, and local governments in the Netherlands and Flanders, but the concept is used internationally as well. Common activities include reading challenges with goals and rewards, author visits, book clubs, reading aloud sessions, storytelling, literacy workshops, and digital reading platforms. Programs may target children, students, adults, or specific groups such as newcomers or people with limited literacy.

Implementation varies by setting but often involves partnerships with publishers, authors, and community organizations. Campaigns may run for a week, a month, or throughout the school year, with marketing materials, schedules, and ways to track participation. Evaluation can rely on metrics such as participant numbers, books read, hours spent reading, or improvements in reading comprehension.

Leesacties contribute to broader goals of education policy and cultural development by lowering barriers to reading, fostering lifelong learning, and supporting libraries as community hubs. Challenges include securing sustainable funding, reaching diverse audiences, and ensuring inclusivity across age, language, and ability.

See also: leesbevordering, literacy campaign, library programs.