2025 has brought exciting opportunities and fresh challenges for Libraries Connected - and the public library network as a whole. Here we share some of our highlights from the projects, programmes, events and advocacy work we've delivered in 2025 on behalf of our members.

Early 2025

In February, our Arts Council England–funded report demonstrated how more flexible, affordable licensing could unlock promotions, book groups, and events, widening access to reading through libraries. We also partnered with the Women’s Prize Trust to boost reader engagement, providing materials, activities, and celebratory events. February saw us submit evidence to the Housing, Communities & Local Government Committee’s inquiry, setting out the preventative value of libraries.

Spring 2025

In March, we announced revisions to England’s model library byelaws in consultation with DCMS and our members, ensuring they reflect contemporary use and help maintain safe, welcoming spaces. We also submitted evidence to the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, highlighting libraries’ role in building resilient communities. March also saw the launch of the second round of our Peer Mentoring Scheme for Heads of Service and emerging library leaders.

In April, Arts Council England launched the national Libraries Development Framework, created with us and Shared Intelligence, to support advocacy and continuous improvement.

May brought regional funding success, with £90,000 from The Combined Regions to support strategic projects across nine English regions, strengthening library collaboration and capacity (details here). We also announced successful microgrant projects enabling libraries to build confidence for larger funding bids. Our Peer Mentoring cohorts began their work, with mentor–mentee pairs completing training and starting work towards sector leadership goals (more info).

Summer

In mid-June, library Heads of Service gathered at Chesford Grange for our Annual Seminar to share best practice, hear from partners, and focus on building robust services and workforces. At the Seminar, we celebrated outstanding library workers across six Universal Offers and the VPIPP Promise.

In July, we welcomed plans for the National Year of Reading 2026, confirming our role in the campaign alongside sector bodies and The Reading Agency. We also welcomed Emma Hoddinott as Director of Policy, External Affairs & Research to grow our profile, impact, and influence.

At the end of July, the House of Lords report on media literacy recognised libraries’ crucial role and called for investment in library services and the workforce, citing our written evidence throughout.

In August, we learnt that the Know Your Neighbourhood programme aimed at tackling loneliness and growing volunteering had been extended to March 2026.

Autumn

In September, our CEO Isobel Hunter contributed to the Lviv International Library Forum, reflecting on the UK library sector’s support for Ukrainian libraries.

At our Libraries 175 event at Manchester Central Library in October, Libraries Minister Baroness Twycross pledged support for public libraries and welcomed the creation of the Libraries Alliance.

Towards the end of October, Into the Light, a touring exhibition celebrating Black British ballet, reached its final locations, engaging tens of thousands across 29 libraries.

During Green Libraries Week, we published our evaluation of the Culture Nature England project, showing powerful wellbeing and inclusion impacts from nature-connected activities in libraries.

In November, we published new research from our South East region using Treasury Green Book methods, revealing that South East libraries deliver millions in value from arts, volunteering, and loneliness-reduction activities. We also published a multi-year analysis of library borrowing trends across England and Wales, providing insights for future service planning and stock development.

Late 2025

December has been perhaps the busiest month yet. Along with LGA, the National Archives, and Arts Council England, we published guidance for council library and archive services undergoing reorganisation. We also welcomed the news that twenty libraries have joined Arts Council’s Libraries Development Framework.

We published a festive reading list based on librarians’ recommendations, showing the enduring love for classics and the breadth of librarians' reading.

Finally, we were excited to receive funding from the Government’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to lead a landmark digital inclusion programme with Good Things Foundation and WSA Community.