Resources

Our resource library brings together key reports, guidance, research and discussion to help you design and develop your library service. Use the search box to find what you're looking for – you can also browse or filter by type.

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Developing a Communications and Engagement Plan for Libraires

This toolkit was developed by Heidi Bellamy, Culture First with Worcestershire Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

It can be used by any library service looking for guidance on developing a more strategic approach to communication and engagement. It provides an outline process, templates and tools for adaptation to the local context. 

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~2.DOC
(Word, 363KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Engagement
Toolkit
Communications

Developing a Communications and Engagement Plan for Libraires

This toolkit was developed by Heidi Bellamy, Culture First with Worcestershire Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

It can be used by any library service looking for guidance on developing a more strategic approach to communication and engagement. It provides an outline process, templates and tools for adaptation to the local context. 

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~2.DOC
(Word, 363KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Engagement
Toolkit
Communications

Developing a Communications and Engagement Plan for Libraires

This toolkit was developed by Heidi Bellamy, Culture First with Worcestershire Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

It can be used by any library service looking for guidance on developing a more strategic approach to communication and engagement. It provides an outline process, templates and tools for adaptation to the local context. 

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~2.DOC
(Word, 363KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Engagement
Toolkit
Communications

Partnership Toolkit for Libraries

This toolkit was developed by Katie Pekacar, Independent Mind and Haringey Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

This toolkit is designed to enable public libraries to develop and embed partnership development work following on from the expert bank support offered to Haringey Libraries.

It can also be used to develop a culture of strong partnerships throughout the library service by providing:

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~3.DOC
(Word, 207KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Partnership
Toolkit

Partnership Toolkit for Libraries

This toolkit was developed by Katie Pekacar, Independent Mind and Haringey Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

This toolkit is designed to enable public libraries to develop and embed partnership development work following on from the expert bank support offered to Haringey Libraries.

It can also be used to develop a culture of strong partnerships throughout the library service by providing:

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~3.DOC
(Word, 207KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Partnership
Toolkit

Evaluation Toolkit for Libraries

This toolkit was developed by Kevin Bolton with Leicestershire Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

The objective of this project was “to support Leicestershire Libraries to strengthen their ability to evidence the contribution of the library service within the Council and with partners”. This toolkit brings together template questions and surveys which may be useful to other library services looking to achieve a similar goal.

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~1.DOC
(Word, 186KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Impact
Toolkit
Engagement

Evaluation Toolkit for Libraries

This toolkit was developed by Kevin Bolton with Leicestershire Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

The objective of this project was “to support Leicestershire Libraries to strengthen their ability to evidence the contribution of the library service within the Council and with partners”. This toolkit brings together template questions and surveys which may be useful to other library services looking to achieve a similar goal.

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~1.DOC
(Word, 186KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Impact
Toolkit
Engagement

Evaluation Toolkit for Libraries

This toolkit was developed by Kevin Bolton with Leicestershire Libraries as part of a Libraries Connected Regional Development Expert Bank project funded by Arts Council England. 

The objective of this project was “to support Leicestershire Libraries to strengthen their ability to evidence the contribution of the library service within the Council and with partners”. This toolkit brings together template questions and surveys which may be useful to other library services looking to achieve a similar goal.

Publication date:

Tool
Download EXPERT~1.DOC
(Word, 186KB)
A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Impact
Toolkit
Engagement

Library service redesign: legal considerations

This guidance sets out the statutory basis for delivering library services and outlines the process local authorities must follow before closing libraries, reducing opening hours or making other major changes.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Cuts
Section 114

Library service redesign: legal considerations

This guidance sets out the statutory basis for delivering library services and outlines the process local authorities must follow before closing libraries, reducing opening hours or making other major changes.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Cuts
Section 114

Ready to Learn: how public libraries help children and families prepare for school

Ready to Learn highlights the crucial role libraries play in helping young children settle in and succeed at school.

Publication date:

Tags:

Children and young people

Webinar: Supporting Library Users to Access eResources via Libby

This webinar was led by representatives from OverDrive, who demonstrated how to direct readers to the Libby app, how to use the service and where to go for support and more training. This webinar was aimed at frontline staff and any library staff that may not feel confident accessing eResources or signposting library users to the Libby app.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

Webinar: Enhancing Children and Young People's Reading Experiences

Libraries Connected is working in partnership with Dr Nicola Currie, who is exploring the relationship between reading and wellbeing. The project has interviewed children, young people, adults and older adults from around the UK discussing the role that reading fiction plays in their lives, with a particular focus on how reading supports their wellbeing. 

This is the first in a series of webinars and explored the outcomes of this research on children's reading and wellbeing.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

Webinar: Early Years Play, Arts and Culture in Libraries

This webinar run in partnership with ASCEL explores how public libraries are supporting our youngest children to become creative citizens. We hear from libraries and their partners who are forging ahead with innovative programmes focusing on play and cultural activity. There is an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and share their own ideas and good practice. Speakers include Evie Keough from Boromi, colleagues from Leicestershire libraries and the Playground programme from Kent Libraries.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Family

Ukrainian Refugees - Briefing Note

This briefing note presents the findings of a snapshot survey of 45 library services across England. It reveals for the first time the vast range of support libraries are offering to Ukrainian refugees, and their crucial role in the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

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Family

Libraries for Living, and for Living Better

This research report, supported by Arts Council England and produced by academics at the University of East Anglia provides a methodological framework for estimating the value of public libraries.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

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Toolkit

Open Access Libraries - Guidance Note

This guidance note sets out best practice and advice in using self-service technology to extend opening hours.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

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Digital

Creating Safer Libraries - Guidance Note

Creating Safer Libraries, originally published in October 2023, offers clear, concise guidance on preventing, managing, and responding to disruptive and anti-social behaviour in public libraries. The 2024 updates include information about external communications and social media as well as additional links to guidance and useful organisations.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Anti-social behaviour

Library Advocacy: A Beginner's Guide

This short guide is full of ideas and inspiration to strengthen local advocacy efforts and help libraries raise their profile. The advice comes from extensive conversations with experienced heads of service as well as experts from other areas of local government and the wider public sector.

Publication date:

A Libraries Connected Resource

Tags:

Advocacy