Engaging the public with research can be an opportunity to connect communities, inspire learning and stimulate curiosity.

The Engaging Libraries programme supported public libraries across the UK to develop and deliver public engagement activities between 2016-2021. From 2019 the programme focussed specifically on enabling partnerships with universities to engage the public with research.

Engaging the public with research: A toolkit for higher education and library partnerships

We've developed a new toolkit in collaboration with Carnegie UK to help guide libraries through this process. It draws on evidence collected during the Engaging Libraries programme which ran from 2016-2021. This programme supported public libraries across the UK to develop and deliver public engagement activities.The toolkit includes:

• A three-step guide for libraries to start public engagement projects and partnerships
• Case studies of successful public engagement partnership projects in libraries
• An interactive map to find HEIs interested in working with public libraries on public engagement.