Has your library service increased engagement with your users? Improved existing services? Made your library service more inclusive? Created innovative partnerships?

Then we want to hear from you!

We’re launching the inaugural Libraries Connected Awards 2021 to celebrate the achievements of people working in libraries, acknowledging excellence and showcasing good practice. The awards are open to all except heads of service.

We are looking for individuals or teams working in public libraries who have had a positive impact on the library service, library users or the local community. This could by introducing an innovative new idea or by going the extra to mile to provide an outstanding service.

The awards are linked to the Universal Library Offers and Promises and will be judged by those leading these areas of work nationally. Awards will be made in six categories:

• Culture and Creativity
• Health and Wellbeing
• Information and Digital
• Reading
• Children Promise 
• Visual and Print Impaired People’s Promise.

The last year has seen unprecedented demand for library services to be agile in their delivery, with library staff often serving on the frontline to ensure continued support for their local communities. Library staff across the country have often gone beyond expectations to provide essential services and continue to develop their offer to engage with their communities, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. 

The Libraries Connected Awards offer us the opportunity to uncover new library champions, to encourage the leaders of the future and to give them the recognition they deserve. In addition, the awards will showcase the range of work library staff coordinate and deliver, impacting all parts of their communities. 

The awards will be presented at our Libraries Connected Annual Seminar and the winner will receive a free place at the seminar (including accommodation and travel). If a team wins, they will need to choose one person to represent them at the seminar.

Applications are welcomed from individuals working in public libraries, on their own behalf or on behalf of others, and from partner organisations. The judging criteria and nomination form can be found here. The deadline for nominations is 6pm on Friday 30 July.