Shortlist announced for Libraries Connected Awards 2026
We are excited to reveal the shortlist for the Libraries Connected Awards 2026.
The Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of library workers who have made an exceptional difference to their users or their wider community. The Awards have six categories reflecting the charity’s Universal Library Offers and Promises.
This year’s nominations include a walking and reading initiative in Leeds that links physical activity to the wellbeing benefits of audiobooks, an adult reading challenge in Warwickshire, and a thriving LGBTQ+ reading group in Liverpool that has become a vital source of peer support. Other shortlisted projects include city‑wide craft‑based wellbeing activities in Manchester, a major digitisation programme in the Vale of Glamorgan, and work in Kent that brings libraries together with local youth football teams.
The shortlist will now be considered by an expert panel, with the winners revealed in June at a ceremony during the Libraries Connected annual seminar.
For the fifth successive year the Awards are generously sponsored by OverDrive, the leading digital content distributor for libraries and schools worldwide, and creator of the award-winning library reading app, Libby.
Helen Drakard, organiser of the Awards and Membership Development Manager at Libraries Connected, said:
“Huge congratulations to all the staff who have been shortlisted for the Libraries Connected Awards 2026. We had a record-breaking number of nominations this year and the range of projects put forward shows just how creative and committed library workers are, even in challenging times. It’s inspiring to see how staff respond to local needs, find new ways to connect people and ensure that libraries remain welcoming and trusted places for everyone. We’re delighted to recognise their achievements.”
Nick Forster, Senior Regional Manager at OverDrive, said:
“As we celebrate our fifth year supporting the Libraries Connected Awards, we continue to be inspired by the exceptional work happening in libraries across the country. The creativity, resilience, and community focus shown in this year’s nominations demonstrate the profound impact libraries have on people’s lives. OverDrive is proud to champion the dedicated professionals who make this possible.”