Libraries Minister Baroness Twycross visited the historic Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford on Monday, where she received a guided tour from Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian and Helen Hamlyn Director of University Libraries, and met with library leaders from across the sector, to hear about the progress of the Libraries Alliance.

The Alliance is a new partnership of library bodies working to strengthen and champion libraries of all kinds. Spearheaded by Richard Ovenden and Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, the Alliance is committed to building the skills of library professionals, raising the public profile of libraries, campaigning for better policy-making around libraries, and improving collaboration across the library sector.

Baroness Twycross  spoke at a Libraries Alliance event in Manchester  October, at an event marking 175 years of the Public Libraries Act. Since then, the Alliance has made significant progress including a formal membership structure, initial funding and staffing, and research plans for the National Year of Reading.

Isobel Hunter said:

“We were delighted to welcome the Minister to Oxford and update her on the progress we’ve made since the Alliance launched in October. Our libraries may look different but we all face common challenges - from funding pressures to the need for digital skills - and by working together we can tackle these head-on. The Alliance is about building a stronger, more united voice for libraries, so they continue to adapt and deliver for the communities they serve.”

The Alliance launched with a declaration setting out its aims and purpose. 

The core group includes:

• Bodleian Libraries
• Cambridge University Library
• The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
• Independent Libraries Group
• Libraries Connected
• Libraries Rising
• National Library of Scotland
• Research Libraries UK
• School Library Association

Find out more at www.librariesalliance.org.uk