Past projects

Take a look at what we've achieved through out past projects and programmes.

A person holding a smartphone and photographing the interior of a public library, which is visible on the phone screen.

Libraries 175: A Snapshot of Library Life

Libraries 175 was a photograph project designed to coincide with the 175th anniversary of the Public Libraries Act.
We have created a unique snapshot of library life in 2025.
Children

Ready to Learn

This campaign highlighted the crucial role libraries play in helping young children prepare for school.
Ready to Learn called on government to put libraries at the heart of the transition to formal education
A female librarian wearing glasses studies a laptop screen.

Marketing the Library

Marketing the Library aimed to help libraries to develop their ability to deliver professional, targeted marketing campaigns.
Marketing the Library supported two networks of libraries to develop two marketing campaigns.
'My grandad died I loved him soo much' is written in a child's crayon script.

Death Positive Libraries

The Death Positive Libraries project aimed to stimulate conversations around the taboos of death and dying.
Death Positive Libraries aimed to remove the barriers to talking about death and dying through a range of innovative activities.
A teenage boy sits studying a laptop screen.

Novels that Shaped our World Libraries Programme

This year-long project developed activities in libraries based on '100 Novels that Shaped our World'.
The Novels that Shaped our World programme saw 54 library services across England run book-related cultural events.
A Penguin paperback book rests on a desk inside a conference hall.

Accreditation for Libraries

Accreditation for Libraries scoped the possibility of a public library accreditation framework.
Accreditation for Libraries aimed to develop and deliver an authoritative, sector-led scheme to help libraries in England meet the needs of their communities.
A group of two women engaged in thoughtful discussion during a meeting, with writing tools and notes on the table in front of them.

Leading Libraries

Leading Libraries was a leadership development programme for public libraries.
Leading Libraries aimed to harness the talent of underrepresented groups through a 30-month learning and mentoring programme which values their talents and skills.
Man with a baby stroller, seen through a circular blue tube, browsing bookshelves in a library

Microgrants

The microgrants programme awarded grants of £1-5k to support small-scale projects or the early stages of larger initiatives.
Funded by Arts Council England, Microgrants was open to public libraries in England, including prison and school libraries run by public library services.