Libraries Connected Annual Seminar 2026 “Building Belonging: The Values that Shape Our Libraries" 9 & 10 June 2026

This year our seminar programme will explore the topic of ‘values’ thinking about how we measure and articulate the value of libraries and how the ethical values of public libraries can aid decisions and developments.

Here is some additional information about this year's speakers - more to be added as speakers are confirmed.

Richard Carroll is a key figure at Durham County Council, serving as Chief Procurement Officer, recognised for leading their innovative Social Value initiatives, including the "County Durham Pound" project, focusing on local economic benefit and sustainability through anchor-based organisations and supporters.  Richard frequently speaks at conferences on Durham’s procurement activity and its social impact. He is known for driving local supply chains and embedding social value into DCC's practices, making them sector leaders in public procurement as well as holding positions on a number of Regional and National groups to help influence procurement practice and national policy making. 

Isobel Hunter is the first Chief Executive of Libraries Connected. She established and grew the organisation from a small team of six to one that now has a dedicated programmes and regional team, with a high profile in national media and with government.

She believes that libraries are central to people’s lives and communities across the country and is committed to working with members to help develop and advocate for the public library sector.

Ed Jewell is President of Libraries Connected and Chief Librarian for Jersey Libraries. He has led Jersey’s library service since 2014 and has worked in libraries across the Channel Islands for 25 years. In 2020, Ed was given the Jersey Bailiff’s Award for services to the community during the pandemic. Ed is the first Libraries Connected President from outside England.

As President, Ed advocates for libraries as essential public services within wider policy and funding frameworks, contributing to national goals including literacy, lifelong learning, community wellbeing and digital transformation. 

A passionate believer in intellectual freedom, Ed emphasises the importance of libraries as open, inclusive spaces that reflect and serve their whole communities.

Amanda Jones is a 25 year educator, a school librarian, and a grassroots organizer in Louisiana on the frontlines fighting against censorship in libraries. She is the 2021 Librarian of the Year as presented by School Library Journal , a 2021 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, and the 2020 Louisiana School Librarian of the Year.  She is the Louisiana Chapter Councillor to the American Library Association and is a founding member of Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship. She is the author of  “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America, which was recently optioned for a film, and is featured in the award-winning documentary The Librarians by Academy Award Nominated director Kim A Snyder. Amanda was recently recognized as one of the world’s most influential rising stars on the Time100 Next list. 

Dr. Reem Talhouk is a Lebanese design researcher and Associate Professor at Northumbria University’s School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries. Her work is at the intersection of Design, Humanitarianism, and Human-Computer Interaction– engaging with feminist, decolonial, and participatory design theories and practices. Reem has conducted research across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Australia, working with refugee communities to explore their use and re-design aspirations of mobile health applications, digital re-settlement processes and food aid technologies. More recently, Reem has been advising humanitarian and volunteer organisations in the use of AI technologies and conducting research on building refugee Media.

Brett Terry joined the NSPCC in January 2018, with 20 years in senior strategic and operational HR roles. Passionate about people and volunteering, he hopes to help create a workforce of active, authentic ambassadors who inspire and compel others to play their part in our vision.