Libraries Connected welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement this week of significant new investment in youth services. 

As part of the Government's plans to reconnect young people with their communities, £88 million will be invested in youth clubs and schools to offer more after-school activities, while enabling organisations like the Scouts and Guides to deliver more places.

We believe public libraries must be central to these plans. Libraries already play a vital role in supporting young people, from offering quiet spaces for after school study to free coding clubs. The Children's and Young People's Promise, developed by The Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL) commits libraries to enabling young people with imaginative digital opportunities, building their skills, literacy, knowledge and creativity. 

Public libraries are also crucially placed to get more children and young people reading for pleasure. Services like Libraries Unlimited (Devon and Torbay) have dedicated ‘young people’ sections with a range of resources including popular series, manga, graphic novels and non-fiction titles.

It is very pleasing to see that the Government is 'investing in children’s futures' through this new plan. Investing in public libraries means investing in young people, and we urge the Government to take advantage of the skills libraries and librarians offer as it moves ahead with its strategy.