2026 Annual Seminar - Provisional Programme
Building Belonging: the values that shape our libraries
Libraries Connected Annual Seminar 2026 “Building Belonging: The Values that Shape Our Libraries" 9 & 10 June 2026
This year our seminar programme will explore the topic of ‘values’ thinking about how we measure and articulate the value of libraries and how the ethical values of public libraries can aid decisions and developments.
Day 1 – Tuesday 9 June | |
| 09:00 | Registration, networking and refreshments |
| 10:00 | Welcome from Ed Jewell, Libraries Connected President and Presidential handover |
| 10:20 | How we live our values - Brett Terry, Director of People, NSPCC |
| 11:00 | Sponsor’s Flash Film |
| 11:05 | Breakout sessions |
| 12:15 | Lunch break |
| 13:25 | Sponsor’s Flash Film |
| 13:30 | Embracing responsible AI – Dr Reem Refaat Talhouk, Associate Professor Northumbria University |
| 14:10 | Sponsor’s Flash Film |
| 14:15 | Social Value – Richard Carroll, Chief Procurement Officer, Durham County Council |
| 14:55 | Sponsor’s Flash Film |
| 15:00 | Tea and coffee break |
| 15:20 | Breakout sessions |
| 16:30 | Sponsors’ reception |
| 19:00 | Seminar Dinner |
| 21:00 | Awards Ceremony |
Day 2 – Wednesday 10 June | |
| 9:00 | Registration, networking and refreshments |
| 09:30 | Welcome to day two & Libraries Connected update - Isobel Hunter, CEO Libraries Connected |
| 09:45 | Censorship and the role of librarians in the fight for democracy - Amanda Jones, Educator, School Librarian and Grassroots Organizer in Louisiana. |
| 10:25 | Sponsor’s Flash Film |
| 10:30 | Ignite Talks: Raising Awareness & Changing Perceptions
|
| 11:10 | Sponsor’s Flash Film |
| 11:15 | Tea and coffee break |
| 11:35 | Sponsor’s Flash Film |
| 11:40 | Panel Session: Are “neutrality” and “impartiality” achievable - or even desirable - for public libraries today?
Chaired by Isobel Hunter, CEO, Libraries Connected. |
| 12:50 | ‘Our Values’ |
| 13:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:10 | Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, and Lords Minister) |
| 14:30 | Libraries Alliance: collective voice and values - Dr Jessica Gardner, University Librarian, Cambridge University |
| 15:10 | Closing remarks from Libraries Connected President |
| 15:30 | Seminar ends. |
Further information
Speaker Biographies 2026
Libraries Connected Annual Seminar 2026 “Building Belonging: The Values that Shape Our Libraries" 9 & 10 June 2026
This year our seminar programme will explore the topic of ‘values’ thinking about how we measure and articulate the value of libraries and how the ethical values of public libraries can aid decisions and developments.
Here is some additional information about this year's speakers - more to be added as speakers are confirmed.
Seminar Sponsors 2026
Many thanks to all the companies that have sponsored this year’s seminar. If you are attending the event, please take the time to visit the Sponsors' Showcase in The Grange.
You can find out more about our sponsors below.
Bursaries
With the support of our sponsors and partners we are pleased to be able to offer a number of bursaries to Libraries Connected events in 2026.
Below are the details of the bursaries available and links to apply - you can apply for as many as you'd like.
Annual Seminar Bursaries 9 - 10 June 2026
Annual Seminar Sponsorship
Each year we look for a small number of companies to sponsor the Libraries Connected Annual Seminar, which is our flagship event and a highlight of the public library calendar.
