How to take part   

The competition is open to UK-based professional librarians, who have permission to enter on behalf of their library.  

Librarians must sign up to receive the Booker Prize 2026 printed materials on The Reading Agency website here by midday BST on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 to be considered. 

They should receive the printed materials in the post at their library by Wednesday, 12 August 2026.  

They must then take a photo of the materials displayed in their library with at least some of the longlisted books and email the photo to [email protected] by 5pm BST on Friday, 11 September 2026. Where entrants have social media accounts, we’d also encourage them to upload their display photos on Instagram or Facebook tagging @TheBookerPrizes, @ReadingAgency and #BookerPrize2026.  

The Booker Prize Foundation team will select one UK-based library and their librarian representative as their winner, who in their opinion has used their printed materials to create a particularly creative and original display.  

The successful librarian will be notified by email by the Booker Prize Foundation team no later than 5pm BST (UK time) on Friday, 18 September 2026. They must promptly confirm they are happy to accept the prize, re-confirm their postal address for delivery of their prize of one set of the longlisted books, provide the names and individual contact details of the two guests who will be attending the ceremony, and liaise with the Booker Prize Foundation team around travel and accommodation arrangements. If any changes are required to the two guests attending the ceremony, they must be communicated to the Booker Prize Foundation at least 10 days before the ceremony and changes are not guaranteed. 

If we have not received this confirmation and information within 48 hours of us notifying our winners, we will have no obligation to deliver the prize and at our sole discretion, we may select an alternative librarian to receive the prize concerned or simply decide not to give it.  

We will endeavour to post the prize of 1 x set of the Booker Prize 2026 longlisted books to the postal address provided by the winning librarian by Friday, 25 September 2026. If there are any changes to the delivery schedule we will keep the winner informed by email.   

Terms and conditions   

By entering the competition entrants warrant that all information submitted by them is true, current, and complete. Entrants also warrant that they are the copyright owners of any copyrighted works submitted, for example photographs, and the Booker Prize Foundation’s use of such works will not infringe the rights of any third party.  

Winners are responsible for any taxes or duties they may have to pay in order to take receipt of their prize.   

No responsibility can be accepted for prizes that are delayed or lost. We are not responsible for any damage to the prize in the course of delivery; while we will consider a request for a replacement (if available) if the prize arrives in a seriously damaged state, this is solely in our discretion depending on the particular circumstances. Any damage to or loss of the prize must be reported immediately by email to [email protected].  

The winner will receive two tickets to the Booker Prize 2026 ceremony and dinner held at 7pm approx. on Monday, 9 November 2026 at Old Billingsgate in London; one overnight stay for two guests on Monday, 9 November 2026 in up to two standard rooms at a minimum 3* hotel in London of the Booker Prize Foundation’s choice; and up to a total of £300 of travel expenses (incurred to attend the ceremony) paid on the email of receipts to [email protected]. Receipts must be received within one month of the award ceremony. Attendees of the Booker Prize 2026 ceremony and guests at the hotel must be aged 18 or over. No additional expenses incurred during the trip will be paid. The winner must be available to travel on the date specified.  

We may in due course and at our sole discretion publicise the names of the winner and their location on our website and social media channels and by entering the competition an entrant agrees to this publicity should they be a prize-winner.   

These terms and conditions are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England & Wales, and the courts of England & Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction determining any question or issue in relation to them.   

The Booker Prize Foundation may cancel or amend any competition, competition information, or these terms and conditions without prior notice. Any changes will be posted either within the competition information or these terms and conditions.