News

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 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:

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.

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.

Public libraries are a core part of the UK’s social infrastructure, connecting communities with public services, health, education and supporting communities to interact and thrive - and as such they will be critical to the success of any levelling up and social development agendas. We know the benefit public libraries can have on individuals and their lives and want to grow the evidence base for this in the East of England. The library services are collectively funding this piece of research with support from Arts Council England.