The multiple perspectives of Libraries Connected President

As nominations open for the next President of Libraries Connected, I have been thinking about the perspective the role gives you and the responsibility that comes with it.

The Presidency gives you a different vantage point. You begin to see the whole system: the policy landscape, the funding pressures, the opportunities for partnership. But you also see what that looks like on the ground: colleagues serving their communities on the frontline and Heads of Service balancing shrinking budgets against growing expectations. It has reinforced for me the crucial role that Libraries Connected plays in supporting and representing its members, and that representation only works if the President remains grounded in their lived experience.

Defining the President’s role for the present and future

My own term has been distinctive in that I have served as both President and Chair during a period of governance reform. That has meant spending considerable time strengthening our constitutional foundations and clarifying leadership roles. One of my key priorities was to ensure that our governance model is both representative and effective. Following the governance review, the roles of Chair and President have now been formally separated. Governance leadership sits firmly with the Chair, while the President’s role is now clearly defined as an outward-facing ambassador and advocate, focused on representing members, helping to shape national conversations and strengthening sector visibility. This separation means that future Presidents will be able to concentrate fully on connection and advocacy.

Evidence, impact and advocacy

Alongside governance reform we have invested in strengthening our research and advocacy capability through the development of the Policy, External Affairs and Research team within Libraries Connected.  If we want to be taken seriously in national debate, we must be able to demonstrate impact clearly and confidently. Evidence, innovation, and leadership must shape our next decade and building that capability has been an important step forward. The work of the PEAR team gives the new President a strong platform to speak from.

Libraries as civic and democratic bedrocks

I have also been struck and at times moved by the breadth, depth and impact of the work being delivered across the British Isles. The passion, ingenuity and sheer determination so many of you bring to your work every day has strengthened my argument that our libraries are a crucial piece of civic infrastructure, embedded in the educational, cultural, economic and democratic life of the nation. In this National Year of Reading, that conviction feels even sharper. Literacy is not simply an educational issue, but a matter of national resilience. We can only truly function as citizens when we have the skills and opportunity to understand and engage with the world around us.

Developing the Universal Offers and Libraries Alliance 

I was pleased to see the revised Universal Library Offers published last year, providing an updated framework through which services can structure and advocate their work. We are also working alongside colleagues in national libraries, academia, schools and special libraries to build the Libraries Alliance in support of shared learning and stronger collective advocacy. None of this is the work of one individual. It reflects the collective effort of the Executive Team, trustees, partners and members.

Preparing the ground for my successor

As my own term begins to draw to a close, I hope I have helped to set the stage for what comes next. I believe more strongly than ever that our libraries offer a precious candle of understanding and opportunity within our communities and that Libraries Connected has a pivotal role to play in sustaining and strengthening that light.

Every President will approach the role differently. Some will relish the national policy platform, others will focus on sector development or partnership-building. What matters is that the role remains rooted in service leadership and animated by a commitment to collective confidence. The clarity of the role now creates space for the next President to focus wholeheartedly on outward advocacy and representing members’ priorities at national level.

The Libraries Connected Presidency: Stepping forward with confidence

If you care deeply about the future of public libraries, if you believe we can be more confident and more visible in the national conversation and if you are ready to represent colleagues across the country with clarity and conviction, then I would encourage you to consider standing.

It is a demanding responsibility and at times it will stretch you. But it is also a privilege. You will learn quickly, you meet extraordinary colleagues and you are given the opportunity to help shape the future of our unique and wonderful sector. 

Please do email me at e.jewell@gov.je if you would like to talk in more detail about what the Presidency involves, or are interested in supporting Libraries Connected by applying for a trustee position.