World Book Day 2026: Costume swaps coming to four Dudley libraries

Following Brierley Hill’s successful costume swaps for World Book Day last year, four Dudley libraries are offering fancy dress options for the same event in 2026.

By contributor Sue Bradbury
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Taking place on Thursday, March 5, many schools celebrate World Book Day by encouraging children to dress up as a character from one of their favourite stories.

Halesowen, Gornal and Wordsley libraries have now joined Brierley Hill by collecting donations in February and offering families the chance of exchanging new outfits for old.

Operating under the Better brand, GLL is the not-for-profit social enterprise that runs Dudley libraries on behalf of the council.

World Book Day costume swap at Brierley Hill Library in 2025
World Book Day costume swap at Brierley Hill Library in 2025

“This year’s World Book Day is even more important as 2026 marks the National Year of Reading,” said Stephanie Rhoden, GLL’s Partnership Manager in Dudley.

“World Book Day is a fun and very popular annual event that does a lot to highlight the vital part stories play in children’s lives, but dressing up can be costly.

“Brierley Hill ran a costume swap for the first time last year and its popularity was such that three of our other libraries are now going to hold one as well.”

For more information on the library locations and opening hours, please visit better.org.uk/library/dudley