@librariesconnected.bsky.social
We are an independent charity that supports, promotes and represents public libraries. Our work is driven and led by our membership, which includes almost every library service in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
Image shows bags, magnets and artwork created by dye sublimation
Skills Bootcamps at @hulllibraries.bsky.social help nurture talent, build confidence, and support #Library staff to take on new responsibilities.
Learning Development Manager Sarah Shiels explains the importance of allowing staff experimentation.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/skills-...
Great to see. We hope you all have a brilliant day!
#OurFreedom
A woman asks a librarian for advice at an information desk.
We are hosting a Budget Briefing Webinar this Monday to share key headlines and discuss implications for the public #Library sector.
This is a members' event open now for registration.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/events/webin...
A female librarian is seen carrying a Richard Osman book.
We have published a comprehensive review of trends in #Library borrowing across England and Wales.
Find out more below and join our webinar tomorrow.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/librari...
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/node/483
A mother sits reading with her child in a library.
The Education Committee in the UK Parliament has launched a new inquiry to understand how reading can be nurtured, and what its benefits are.
We will be issuing a response on behalf of public #Libraries. You can contribute to it by completing this short survey.
form.jotform.com/253275295744...
Tracy McKechnie and Liz Gunn from Kent Prison #Libraries won our Reading Award back in 2023 for innovative use of technology at HMP Swaleside.
If you know of an individual or team doing brilliant #Reading work, nominate them for our 2026 Awards.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/projects/lib...
These are just a few of our Awards winners and runners up from 2025, celebrating at our annual ceremony.
Do you know someone working in or with public #Libraries who deserves to be recognised like them?
If so, make sure you nominate them for 2026!
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/libraries-co...
We welcome this inquiry into reading for pleasure among children and young people.
Public libraries play a vital role in promoting a love of reading.
What measures do you think should be taken to increase the numbers of children reading for pleasure?
committees.parliament.uk/committee/20...
This year's #GetTheNationLearning βNet Zero Heroβ Award, sponsored by NOCN, went to Lendlease. π
Partnering with Our Newham Learning and Skills, Lendlease creates routes to employment for learners while supporting Newhamβs net zero goals at the same time. β¬οΈ
getthenationlearning.org.uk/lendlease/
A person holds a large, tanned map (with a red outline) in both hands.
Are you a community group with a passion for heritage? Or a museum, library, gallery or archive with a bold idea for community-led research?
The Spaces, Places and Belonging Community Hub is accepting applications for seed corn grants: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/community-hu... (1/2)
Two women sit across from each other talking in a library.
Loneliness reduction activities generate Β£913k in health, productivity and wellbeing value each year across six South East #Library services, according to our new report.
Explore more findings from The Power of Prevention:
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/south-e...
A group of older people are seated around a table in a library talking.
Our report reveals the value delivered by public #Libraries through health and wellbeing support.
Weekly arts and craft sessions for older people generate at least Β£491k of benefits each year across eight South East services.
Explore more findings:
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/south-e...
This year's #GetTheNationLearning Awards recognised Manchester City Council with the βRegional Growth Awardβ for its success in embedding lifelong learning at the heart of its economic and social development strategy.
Read coverage from the British Bulletin: britishbulletin.com/manchester-n...
An older man reads with a young boy in a library.
Today we publish groundbreaking new research showing that public #Libraries in the South East deliver millions in value by supporting mental health and wellbeing, particularly among older people.
Find out more:
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/south-e...
The second of our four-part webinar series with @sharethevision.bsky.social on using the accessibility features on library reading apps can now be rewatched in full.
This bitesize session focuses on the PressReader app.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD9O...
A Kent library van is seen in front of a Co Op.
Kent's Home #Library Service provides a crucial link between the isolated and access to support.
Lindsay Prestage from Kent tells us of the service's importance.
As one user says, 'It's just nice to know that someone cares.'
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/kents-h...
#MobileLibrariesDay
An older woman smiles as she sits in a library with a mug in front of her.
As smatterings of snow fall, #Libraries across the country are once again acting as @warmwelcomeuk.bsky.social spaces.
As campaign director @davidbarclay.bsky.social reminds us, libraries 'open their doors with warmth in every sense of the word'.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/public-...
A man dressed as Father Christmas holds up some children's Christmas books.
Manchester Libraries Trust, Read Manchester and Manchester #Libraries have launched a Christmas book appeal.
The appeal will help public libraries in the city gift books to children who need them most.
A terrific example of libraries' work in the community.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/boo...
Muhammad Haque receives his award at the 2025 Libraries Connecteds Awards ceremony.
The Libraries Connected Awards are a reminder of the importance of #Libraries and the people who work in them, celebrating the variety of support they deliver on a daily basis.
Our 2026 Awards are open for nominations now.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/libraries-co...
Findings from @bigissue.com suggest that weekly, more than 40% of people have no real interactions with people they don't know.
The @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social funded Know Your Neighbourhood project is working to tackle loneliness through volunteering across England.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/lone...
A woman checks out a book from a library.
Today marks the start of National Self-Care Week, focusing on supporting self-care across communities.
Through the Reading Well collections from @readingagency.bsky.social, public #Libraries empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing.
readingagency.org.uk/get-reading/...
It is brilliant to see the success of 'Our Freedom: Then and Now' in public #Libraries across the country.
Workshops at Atherstone Library in Warwickshire featuring poetry and stories from the anniversary of VE Day resulted in a specially created zine.
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article...
Send us your feedback! Deadline Monday 17 November, logo of Green Libraries Week at the top all green background
π±Did you take part in #GreenLibraries Week this year? We'd love to hear how your week went. Your feedback will support and influence our future planning.
π
Deadline Monday 17 November https://ow.ly/UJI750XrF99
An older man reads to a child in a library.
#WorldKindnessDay is a chance to focus on those empathetic acts that can lead to a more compassionate society.
By bringing people with shared values together regardless of their differences, public #Libraries act as spaces where kindness can flourish.
Our webinar on learning from the inspiring @artscouncilengland.bsky.social funded #Microgrants projects is now available to watch back in full.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEUL...
Two women speak in a library as a young man sits behind them.
To serve our members more effectively, our Board is proposing key updates to our governance structure:
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Clearer leadership roles
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More external expertise
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Streamlined structure
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Members: vote on these changes at our AGM on Dec 11
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/governance-c...
Terrific to see the Into the Light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet exhibition arriving in Scarborough #Libraries.
Into the Light, a partnership between us and Oxygen Arts, is funded by a grant from the @thenationallottery.bsky.social Heritage Fund.
www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/whats-on/art...
Yesterday's webinar in partnership with @rnib.bsky.social on PressReader accessibility features is now available to watch back in full.
Thanks to @sharethevision.bsky.social for providing expert information.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHds...
A Libraries Connected Award winner from 2025 goes to receive his honour.
The Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of people working in public #Libraries.
They offer the opportunity to uncover new #Library champions and encourage leaders of the future.
Our 2026 Awards are open for nominations.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/libraries-co...
A man is seen pushing a pram in a library.
We have a busy week of online events coming up, starting with today's PressReader accessibility features webinar in partnership with @rnib.bsky.social and continuing tomorrow with a webinar on the #ACEFunded Microgrants project.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/events
