The latest news, updates and opinion from Libraries Connected.
If you’re a journalist please contact the Libraries Connected press team: media@librariesconnected.org.uk
Latest news
Libraries Connected Awards 2025 winners revealed
Our Awards celebrate the achievements of library workers who have had an exceptional impact on their library service.
Statement on the government's Social Prescribing Academy launch
There are over 3000 public libraries in the UK and many of these are already working closely with local social prescribers.
Invitation to tender: Public Library Service Accreditation
We are looking for an expert contractor to help develop an accreditation scheme for English public libraries.
Invitation to tender: Independent evaluator for BBC Novels library campaign
We're looking for someone to evaluate our year-long reader engagement project for public libraries.
Invitation to tender: Leading Libraries
Libraries Connected are seeking an innovative and experienced development organisation to deliver a major leadership programme for public libraries.
Libraries Connected to consult on new accreditation framework for libraries
Libraries Connected today announce a vital new initiative to clearly define what a high-quality library service looks like.
Libraries Connected announces major new programme for The Novels That Shaped Our World festival
An exciting new programme of library activities, events and partnerships designed to celebrate the novel and promote the joy of reading, particularly to new and diverse audiences, is unveiled today.
Libraries Week: Celebrating libraries in a digital world
This year, Libraries Week allows all of us who cherish libraries to celebrate their growing role in the digital world.
Libraries engage communities through technology, libraries build digital skills and confidence in communities, libraries develop digital participation and tackle exclusion, and libraries support health, well-being and learning. Libraries Week gives us all the opportunity to recognise and thank library staff for their knowledge, dedication and expertise, without which none of this work would be possible.
Libraries Connected and CILIP publish new roadmap for future library development
A new blueprint for an integrated and improved framework for supporting public libraries in England is published today.
New regional support model for public libraries announced
A new support model for public libraries has been announced today that will be a game changer in how they face future challenges.
New project to tackle lack of diversity in library leadership announced
Libraries Connected today announce a new initiative to drive diversity in library leadership. Leading Libraries aims to tackle the lack of diversity among library staff by working with female and minority ethnic library staff who have the potential to lead libraries in the future.
While public libraries attract more diverse audiences that any other cultural activity, this diversity is not reflected in the library workforce, in particular*:
Digital Library Framework suspended
Libraries Connected met with JISC to discuss the future of the Digital Library Framework. The framework was introduced in 2018 to help simplify the process of accessing online services for users. However, given the low take up of the service, we consulted with library services to determine its future viability.
The survey found that:
Four refreshed Universal Library Offers announced
Libraries Connected today launches their refreshed Universal Library Offers, which demonstrate work that every public library service does to enrich the lives of individuals and their communities. The four revised offers are:
Reading
Digital and Information
Culture and Creativity
Health and Wellbeing.
The four offers were announced after an eight-month independent review, carried out by Shared Intelligence. This involved extensive discussion with heads of service, library staff, funders and other key stakeholders.