Libraries Connected is pleased to announce the receipt of funding from the Government’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to lead a landmark digital inclusion programme.

Delivered in partnership with Good Things Foundation and WSA Community, the programme will develop a new practical digital inclusion guide for public libraries, designed to ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind by AI and rapid digital change.

Titled Innovating in Trusted Spaces: Libraries Advancing the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, it will be financed by a £310,400 grant through the Fund, which is provided by the Department for Science, Industry and Technology (DSIT).

The project will run from November 2025 to March 2026 across four library services – Newcastle, Northumberland, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire (Inspire) – covering a population of 1.8 million through 121 individual libraries. Target groups include older people, low-income families and individuals with disabilities.

An estimated 8.5m adults in the UK lack the lack the basic digital skills needed for life and work and less than a third (27%) feel confident in recognising AI-generated content online.

Public libraries are the nation’s leading provider of free internet access and digital skills support. There are around 3,000 individual libraries in England, providing 25,000 free-to-use public PCs and devices – last year these were used for an estimated 14m hours. Eight in 10 library services support people with learning basic digital skills and over 90% of library authorities say the “warm, safe and quiet” environment is a top reason people use library PCs. But rapid digital change - including widespread adoption of AI, the spread of online disinformation and growth of immersive tech - means established approaches to digital inclusion need to adapt and evolve.

The project will lead to the creation of a new practical guide for library staff, co-designed and tested with communities, to build digital confidence among those most at risk of exclusion. The guide will have a particular focus on the benefits and risks of AI tools, and media literacy including mis- and disinformation. A national network for sharing ideas and experience among library workers will also be established.

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

“We’re thrilled to receive a grant from the Digital Inclusion Access Fund, working with our partners Good Things Foundation and WSA Community Consultants. Around 8 million people in the UK lack basic digital skills. Without targeted action, they will fall further behind as technology – especially AI – moves forward.”

“Libraries already help thousands every day to keep in touch, find jobs, save money and access services online, but the digital world is changing fast. This project will give library staff the tools they need to keep pace – and provide important new evidence for what works in tackling digital exclusion among vulnerable groups.”

Dr Emma Stone, Director of Evidence and Engagement at Good Things Foundation, said:

“AI offers huge opportunities, but many feel unsure, even fearful. The rise in misinformation and disinformation challenges us to evolve how we provide digital inclusion support to people with low skills and confidence. We can test and learn how libraries can use our new free learning tool, the ‘AI Gateway’, to help build people’s AI awareness. With so many libraries in the National Digital Inclusion Network, partnering with Libraries Connected is a fantastic opportunity to innovate, evaluate, and share what we discover with digital inclusion hubs of all kinds across England, and beyond.”

Wendy Sugarman, Director of WSA Community said:

“We are delighted to be supporting libraries to find new ways to bridge the digital divide and introduce people to AI and media literacy. WSA Community will be helping to capture and share the learning so that more library services and local communities can benefit.”