Libraries Connected joined leaders from across the library world at the British Academy today for the official launch of the Libraries Alliance – a new partnership bringing together libraries of all kinds to speak with a single, stronger voice. 

The Alliance spans public, school, academic, health, independent and national libraries, and has been established to strengthen collaboration across the sector, improve engagement with policymakers and highlight the social, cultural and economic contribution libraries make throughout people’s lives. 

The launch set out a shared vision of “libraries through life”, illustrated through short contributions from library staff and users, politicians, academics and writers. Speakers showed how libraries support people at every stage – from early learning and education, through work and research, to later life – and why this matters for community, citizenship and opportunity. 

Speakers included the Minister for Libraries, Baroness Twycross; former Cabinet Minister Lord Blunkett; Richard Ovenden OBE, Bodley’s Librarian at the University of Oxford; Louise Goswami, Chief Knowledge Officer at NHS England; award-winning school librarians Julie Broadbent and Verity Robinson; and acclaimed writer Jeanette Winterson CBE.

The audience included senior library leaders, parliamentarians, policymakers and partners from the cultural, education and health sectors. 

Public libraries were represented by Libraries Connected, with staff and users from GLL and the London Borough of Camden sharing examples of community focused work taking place in London’s libraries. Isobel Hunter MBE, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, welcomed the audience and chaired the event. 

In her speech, Baroness Twycross thanked library leaders for their stewardship of nationally important institutions and described the Libraries Alliance as an important partnership in ensuring the benefits of libraries reach a wide range of communities, including those most in need. She added that she looked forward to working with the Alliance to support the continued success of libraries.

Lord Blunkett described libraries as "people’s universities", highlighting their role in opening up opportunity, particularly for children. He welcomed the Libraries Alliance as a timely and positive step, bringing the sector together to celebrate its achievements while looking ahead to the future.

Jeanette Winterson said the true impact of libraries is often hard to measure, pointing to the harm they prevent as well as the opportunities they create. She described libraries as "the antidote to garbage" at a time when misinformation and low‑quality content are everywhere.

The launch marks a significant step in the development of the Libraries Alliance and signals a commitment to collaboration, shared evidence and constructive engagement with government on the future of libraries.

Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said:

"As a founder member of the Libraries Alliance, it was a privilege to support its formal launch and bring the sector together around a shared vision of libraries through life. Libraries guide and support us through education, work, leisure and family life, remaining a constant presence throughout our lives."

"As libraries respond to rapid technological, political and social change, the need for collective action and advocacy has never been greater or more urgent. By speaking with a shared voice, libraries can be recognised as the vital national infrastructure they are, strengthening our influence and reflecting the true scale of our impact."