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? |
| 12:50 | ‘Our Values’ |
| 13:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:10 | (TBC) Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, and Lords Minister) |
| 14:30 | (TBC) Speaker from the Libraries Alliance |
| 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.
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.
