It is rare that an initiative with no significant financial support catches the imagination of local services, but the National Year of Reading has certainly provided a welcome platform for those who are passionate about reading. The National Year of Reading has provided an opportunity for a wide range of groups to share their goals and work together. The National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency have been appointed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to manage the National Year of Reading in 2008 with a consortium of organisations committed to promoting reading. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of reading and inspire more people to talk about and take part in reading for pleasure. So it is not just about encouraging people to develop literacy skills but also to celebrate the joy of reading. In this article, the author describes the efforts made by the local authority and other voluntary sector organizations to ensure that the National Year of Reading has a lasting legacy in the borough of Milton Keynes, which has significant educational disadvantages.