News

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

Libraries Connected seeks nominations for President Elect

Libraries Connected is seeking nominations for President Elect, to serve from November 2022 to June 2024 and thereafter as President from June 2024-2026, and for one more year as Past President.

Libraries providing 'essential support' to Ukrainian refugees, survey reveals

Public libraries are playing a vital role in welcoming, settling and integrating Ukrainian refugees in Britain, according to a new briefing note by Libraries Connected.

Novels that Shaped our World libraries programme: Evaluation Report

Libraries Connected is pleased to announce the publication of the evaluation report for the Novels that Shaped our World libraries programme

Libraries Connected publishes Leading Libraries Evaluation Report

Libraries Connected is pleased to announce the publication of our Leading Libraries Summative Evaluation Report.

New training programme aims to improve diversity in library leadership

A new online training programme will address issues of diversity, inclusion and resilience among library leaders. The Leading Libraries programme - developed by Libraries Connected in partnership with CILIP - emphasises the value of diversity and the need for new, more collaborative styles of leadership within the libraries sector. These new styles recognise different types of lived experience and personal motivations, rather than relying on traditional “heroic” leadership models.

Libraries key to closing post-pandemic literacy gap, new report reveals

Public libraries “must be vital partners in the mission to break the link between social background and literacy”, according to a new research report.

Libraries Connected welcomes Ayub Khan MBE as new President

Starting out as a Saturday assistant in Birmingham libraries, Ayub spent his early career in education and children’s services and was later Project Officer for the award-winning new Library of Birmingham.

Library fine survey: results and summary report revealed

Libraries Connected today presents the findings of its March 2022 survey around library fines and publishes its library fine survey summary report.

Libraries Connected calls for increased support for library services amid cost-of-living crisis

A recent survey of 32 heads of library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland conducted by Libraries Connected revealed that over 80% expect an increase in people using libraries to keep warm next winter. 

Libraries Connected announces Peer Mentoring Scheme

Libraries Connected is excited to announce the launch of its Peer Mentoring Scheme. The Peer Mentoring Scheme is designed to complement the generous ad hoc support provided through the Heads of Service Network. Its purpose is to build resilient, strong, well-supported leaders by:

Making the Most of National Events: A Toolkit for Public Libraries

Our new toolkit gives an overview of how to successfully engage with cultural events, full of ideas, top tips and templates for developing strategies and planning event activity.

Libraries Connected publishes draft accreditation scheme for public libraries

What is a good public library, and how can this be reflected in a self-improvement framework? These were the questions that Libraries Connected wanted to answer with its two-year project to scope a public library accreditation framework. Public libraries in England, unlike museums and archives, currently are not supported by an accreditation scheme, a set of nationally agreed standards that define a high-quality library service.