Libraries Connected is seeking an organisation to develop a new strategic plan for the period from 2023 to 2027.

Library users and staff around the country have been choosing the novel that had meant the most to them during the pandemic.

This week we will announce the shortlists for the inaugural Libraries Connected Awards 2021, celebrating the achievements of people working in libraries, acknowledging excellence and showcasing good practice. 

Libraries Connected and CILIP are delighted to announce the commissioning of Evidence Base at Birmingham City University to create a new Workforce and Skills Strategy for Public Libraries.

Dr Claire Nally and Dr Stacey Pitsillides share some thoughts on the Death Positive Libraries project and their research.

Libraries Connected, in partnership with The Family Arts Campaign, are inviting library authorities in England to apply for a small grant to support them in reviewing and improving their practice to apply for the Family Arts or Age Friendly Standards for their authority.

Death positive libraries aim to remove the barriers to talking about death and dying through a range of innovative activities that appeal to diverse communities. 

We are now halfway through our pilot training development programme for the Future Funding project, which seeks to help public libraries to develop the skills, abilities and knowledge they need to develop and diversify their income strategies. 

The Universal Library Offer workplan reflects some of the challenges libraries face as we emerge from lockdown as well as responding to ongoing societal issues around race and equality. 

Mozfest will be held virtually from the 8 – 19 March and we are delighted to announce that we are offering a number of bursaries to public library staff who would like to attend.

In December, we hosted a webinar on the National Lottery Project Fund with Claire Robe, Libraries Relationship Manager with Arts Council England.

Mark Freeman, Past President of Libraries Connected has received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.

Safety processes in libraries are working effectively to keep people safe from COVID-19 infections, reveals a survey for Libraries Connected released today

DCMS has been promoting the importance of libraries actively across government in such areas as literacy, digital inclusion, business support and health and wellbeing. I’d like everyone to see public libraries as an investment, rather than a cost.

We asked our members what they were expecting next year. Many are facing a triple whammy of budget reductions, loss of earned income and the increased costs of running COVID secure services.

Over 75% of libraries delivered online events during lockdown and library teams made over 130,000 calls to local people who were shielding or vulnerable, reveals our new report.

I took a call from my Library Supervisor and found myself asking if there was anything I could do for our customers while libraries were closed.

We're seeking a training and skills development agency to deliver a commercial skills programme for libraries.

As we all work our way through Covid-19, the issue of digital literacy has never been more important.

Libraries Connected believes that Black Lives Matter.

We condemn racism and discrimination in all its forms.

We want to look back at this moment as the time when racial injustice is finally eradicated.

It seems a long time ago now since I became President Elect of Libraries Connected. So much has happened both in the library world and the world at large.

In the current climate, we have all been prompted to think more about loss: the loss of normality, loss of work or income, and the loss of loved ones.

Libraries Connected have appointed Creative Arts East to develop a new culture and creativity online learning module for library staff across England.

Libraries Connected today launches #LibrariesFromHome, an online resource to showcase the fantastic remote services that libraries are delivering to people across the country

Given the central role of libraries in their communities and their support to the most vulnerable, any decision taken to close buildings should not be taken lightly. We are calling on government to make a clear decision about closing libraries.

As part of our commitment to supporting the development of future library leaders, we are offering two sponsored places at our 2020 seminar.

Sue Williamson, Director Libraries, Arts Council England looks at what the organisation’s 2020-2030 strategy means for libraries.

Libraries Connected has appointed Birmingham Leadership Institute to deliver their programme to drive diversity in library leadership.

We are looking for an arts or cultural organisation who can create an online learning module on libraries and culture to be hosted on our e-learning site.

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.

We are looking for an expert contractor to help develop an accreditation scheme for English public libraries.

Libraries Connected are seeking an innovative and experienced development organisation to deliver a major leadership programme for public libraries.

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.

A new blueprint for an integrated and improved framework for supporting public libraries in England is published today.

Libraries Connected today announce a new initiative to drive diversity in library leadership.

For the past 10 months Libraries Connected have been working with Shared Intelligence to review our Universal Offers.

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.

Libraries Connected welcomes the new report on digital transformation in libraries from the British Library,  which is based on extensive research over the past year. 

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.

I was the company archivist for Marks & Spencer back in 1999.

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.

An invitation to talk about libraries and reading for pleasure is always exciting and when that invitation comes from Pakistan, it’s irresistible.

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. 

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.

We are looking for an individual or organisation to work with representatives from ASCEL, Libraries Connected and The Reading Agency.

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. 

Libraries Connected is pleased to announce that Lesley Sim has been appointed to its Board of Trustees. 

Libraries Connected and CILIP welcomes the findings of the judicial review of Northamptonshire library service.

Listen to some of the main talks from our 2018 seminar.

I want briefly to reflect on where I came from and what public libraries did for me.