Public libraries in Yorkshire and Humber are once again celebrating a year of success, having welcomed almost 10 million people through their doors in 2023 to 2024. The second annual report from Libraries Connected Yorkshire and Humber (LCYH), a regional group of Libraries Connected, also reveals almost 12 million issues (physical and digital combined) were made last year.

Amidst a difficult financial climate for public libraries, services across the region met with a high level of success in obtaining external funding and participation in national projects. These included: 

• Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) 
  Nine library services across the region gained funding in this third and final round of LIF: Barnsley, Bradford, Doncaster, East Riding, Hull, Kirklees, North Lincs, Wakefield and York.
• Know Your Neighbourhood 
  Barnsley, Doncaster, Hull and Wakefield all had projects funded by this programme.
• Culture Nature 
  Bradford and Doncaster received funding for projects as part of this pilot programme. 

Christine May, Chair of Libraries Connected Yorkshire and Humber, said: 

I am delighted to release our second annual report for LCYH. The network continues to build on its strong foundations and has had significant success with sector grant funding opportunities, whilst also increasing the number of visits to our libraries. As we look to the year ahead, we will focus on new ways to demonstrate our impact and diversify income streams, as well as creating economies of scale through procuring a shared library management system, all with the aim of helping libraries across the region to survive and thrive.