News
We are encouraged to see that local authority spending on libraries rose slightly this year even though levels have fallen significantly over the past decade.
Find out more about all we've achieved in our first year.
The Mozilla Festival (also known as MozFest) covers a range of topics focusing on creating a better internet. The theme for this year’s Mozilla Festival was healthy AI.
Statement on the government's Social Prescribing Academy launch
There are over 3000 public libraries in the UK and many of these are already working closely with local social prescribers.
We are looking for an expert contractor to help develop an accreditation scheme for English public libraries.
Invitation to tender: Independent evaluator for BBC Novels library campaign
We're looking for someone to evaluate our year-long reader engagement project for public libraries.
Libraries Connected are seeking an innovative and experienced development organisation to deliver a major leadership programme for public libraries.
Libraries Connected to consult on new accreditation framework for libraries
Libraries Connected today announce a vital new initiative to clearly define what a high-quality library service looks like.
Libraries Connected announces major new programme for The Novels That Shaped Our World festival
An exciting new programme of library activities, events and partnerships designed to celebrate the novel and promote the joy of reading, particularly to new and diverse audiences, is unveiled today.
This year, Libraries Week allows all of us who cherish libraries to celebrate their growing role
Libraries Connected and CILIP publish new roadmap for future library development
A new blueprint for an integrated and improved framework for supporting public libraries in England is published today.
A new support model for public libraries has been announced today that will be a game changer in how they face future challenges.
New project to tackle lack of diversity in library leadership announced
Libraries Connected today announce a new initiative to drive diversity in library leadership.
Libraries Connected met with JISC to discuss the future of the Digital Library Framework. The fra
For the past 10 months Libraries Connected have been working with Shared Intelligence to review our Universal Offers.
Libraries Connected today launches their refreshed Universal Library Offers, which demonstrate wo
First impressions: Catherine and Liz at the Libraries Connected Seminar
For the first time Libraries Connected, in partnership with Carnegie UK Trust, offered two sponsored places at the 2019 annual seminar to Liz Leyshon and Catherine Barlow.
This year's seminar theme was Libraries: A place for us all.
Two Libraries Connected trustees named in Queen’s Honours list
Lesley Sim and Martin Burton have today been named on the Queen’s Honours list. Both Lesley and Martin are trustees of Libraries Connected and will receive a BEM for their committed and inspiring work in libraries.
I believe that empathy is the quality that powers public libraries - offering reading that transports people to other places and other lives, providing shared spaces where different groups come together and feel they belong and delivering services that can make people’s lives better.
Libraries Connected believes that reading is and should be at the forefront of library activity and 182,895,337 books were issued in 2017/18. However, reading is not only a solitary activity and libraries have had huge success engaging communities around reading.
The luxury of being able to plan artistic programmes over four years, to take risks and immediately apply lessons from past activities, and new partnership opportunities were highlighted as some of the key benefits that National Portfolio status has brought to libraries.
The BBC will bring the BBC VR Hub to more than 40 local libraries across the UK from May to July in partnership with Libraries Connected and Scottish Library and Information Council.
I was the company archivist for Marks & Spencer back in 1999.
Somerset Libraries have been nominated as finalists in the Digital Leaders 100 Awards for the delivery of the Somerset Digital Skills Academy where they have worked with school students to encourage them to consider a career in the digital industry.
A librarian is a librarian but an OBE is an OBE by Ian Anstice
There’s a saying about librarians that no-one ever entered the profession for the money or the power. Too true, but I think another equally true statement is that no one ever goes in it expecting an award or an honour.
'The library was my portal to a new world' Bobby Seagull on libraries for World Book Day
The library was a place for us to discover everything around us. If we wanted to find out about South American rainforests, the engineering marvels of the Victorian era or read children’s fantasy literature, the library was my portal to a new world.
An invitation to talk about libraries and reading for pleasure is always exciting and when that invitation comes from Pakistan, it’s irresistible.
We are in the first stage of what we hope will be an extended three-part programme to improve the structure of the public library sector nationally.
I’m pleased to report that the Universal Offer review is gathering pace and that we will complete the evidence gathering phase of the project this month.
Libraries Connected awarded funding for regional development
Libraries Connected has been awarded £75,000 from the Arts Council to explore the support required by our regional networks.
The latest CIPFA figures are extremely worrying for anyone who cares about libraries.
Carol Stump announced as President Elect of Libraries Connected
Libraries Connected are delighted to announce the election of Carol Stump as our new President Elect.
A new initiative has been launched to establish a stronger future for public libraries across England.
Whenever I have a new person joining my team, I’m keen to hear their first impressions as their fresh eyes often spot things that us old-timers overlook.
Trafford Council became the first metropolitan borough to scrap all fines in its libraries in April 2018.
We are seeking individuals to stand for the post of President Elect. This vacancy is only open to members of Libraries Connected.
Libraries Connected new Universal Offers review will be carried out by Shared Intelligence.
Developing principles for working with young people in libraries
We are looking for an individual or organisation to work with representatives from ASCEL, Libraries Connected and The Reading Agency.
Libraries Week is our chance to celebrate libraries and to demonstrate just how much they deliver across a range of areas including health and wellbeing.
Launch of Growing Well, a Toolkit to Help Combat Childhood Obesity
In early 2017 ASCEL commissioned The Reading Agency to research recommendations for a possible children and young people’s strand of the Universal Health Offer.
I can't believe I'm already a month and half into the role of Programme Manager at Libraries Connected.
Libraries Connected is pleased to announce that Lesley Sim has been appointed to its Board of Trustees.
Our Universal Offers, launched in 2013, are a strategic programme and an articulation of the power of public libraries to enrich the lives of individuals and their communities.
Libraries Connected and CILIP welcomes the findings of the judicial review of Northamptonshire library service.
Programming arts and cultural events in libraries happens every day.
Listen to some of the main talks from our 2018 seminar.
The contribution of reading and libraries to mental health was centre stage at last Tuesday’s launch of the latest list.
I want briefly to reflect on where I came from and what public libraries did for me.
As I sit on the train heading to the SCL seminar I’m reflecting on the last two years and my term as President of SCL.
Libraries Connected launches today at a national seminar with the new Libraries Minister.
