A summer read or to switch off from all the politics!

Libraries Connected@librariesconnected.org.uk · 3w ago

🏖️📚 Looking for a summer read? A huge thank you to all the library staff who submitted their holiday reading recommendations! We narrowed them down to 20 books that made us want to add them straight to our own TBR pile. 📖 Browse the full list: www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/looking...

Another thoughtful and productive discussion today at the latest meeting of the Libraries Alliance, hosted by Lambeth Palace Library - a library that has welcomed the public since 1610. Watch this space for more Libraries Alliance news soon! librariesalliance.org.uk

We warmly welcome today's DCMS announcement of £12.5m for the Music in Libraries programme. We look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the next generation of musicians, producers and creative talent!

Congratulations to those who have been elected as new councillors! We have put together a video and page that gives you the essentials about the public library – a statutory service that plays a vital role in your community. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/public-libra...

So we knew this.. but there is some evidence to show it now!

Libraries Connected@librariesconnected.org.uk · 3mo ago

A new evaluation of @artscouncilengland.bsky.social funded library grant programmes shows that relatively modest funding can have a disproportionate impact when it is well designed and well supported. 🔗 Read the full report here: www.artscouncil.org.uk/research-and...

A recent visit to @sxsw.com confirmed to librarian Dave Lloyd that the tech world needs the human touch and the empathy that public libraries provide. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/how-lib...

Today we are in York to celebrate Know Your Neighbourhood. We say thank you to those who have worked so hard to show how arts and culture can bring people together and build pride in place. @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social @creativelivescl.bsky.social @aimuseums.bsky.social

'Achieving the Best Start in Life', a new report from @local.gov.uk, illustrates how public #Libraries make significant contributions as part of a multi‑agency support network for families with young children. www.local.gov.uk/publications...

Achieving the best start in life: Research to support a plan for partners

The LGA commissioned research with councils, stakeholders, and parents and carers across 60 English local authorities. It identified effective approaches to meeting the national GLD target, alongside ...

local.gov.uk

Last month we asked public #Librarians to show us what their library service looks like today, as part of our celebrations of the 175th anniversary of the Public Libraries Act. The photos will be put in a time capsule to be opened in another 175 years. Here is a small sample of what we received...

We've launched a new page and video to help councillors understand how libraries contribute to local outcomes and why they matter more than ever. Watch the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FupQ... Explore the page: www.librariesconnected.org.uk/public-libra...

Libraries Connected Councillors Animation With Subtitles

YouTube video by Libraries Connected

youtube.com

📚 175 years after their creation, public libraries are still vital Our CEO @ih1968.bsky.social reflects in The MJ on the enduring power of libraries, 175 years after the first Public Libraries Act was passed. 🔗 www.themj.co.uk/175-creation...

175 years after their creation, public libraries are still vital

When Charles Dickens gave a rousing speech at the opening of Manchester Free Library in September 1852, he expressed his ‘earnest hope that the books thus made available...

themj.co.uk

BBC 500 Words, the UK’s biggest children’s story-writing competition is back and open for submissions. Entries close at 9pm on Friday 7 November 2025. For more details and to read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notices go to bbc.co.uk/500words.

500 Words

BBC's 500 Words, the UK's largest children's writing competition for children aged 5-11, opens for entries Tuesday 23 September - Friday 7 November at 9pm.

bbc.co.uk

In this week's blog Sarah Davis, Reader Development Librarian for Greenwich Libraries (part of GLL) tells us about the importance of reader development work in public #Libraries. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/champio... #Reading

Our CEO @ih1968.bsky.social will take part in the Lviv International Library Forum this week, joining #Library organisations from across Europe in a show of solidarity. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/isobel-...

A feel good story of how to spend your summer with libraries. Go Kaitlin! www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2543264...

12-year-old bookworm completes summer challenge to visit every library in county

12-year-old Kaitlin Clarkson, from near Masham, has completed her summer-long challenge of visiting every library in North Yorkshire.

thenorthernecho.co.uk

We are pleased to welcome @emmahoddinott.bsky.social as our new Director of Policy, External Affairs and Research (PEAR). Starting in September, Emma will lead political engagement for us, helping the public #Library sector strengthen its policy voice. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/librari...

Apparently it's international cat day - so he's my boy waiting for his breakfast!

Have an amazing Yorkshire Day!

Oh my goodness. What a match, imagine the party!

The Women's Game@womensgamemib.bsky.social · last yr.

There is only one Lucy Bronze, and you can find her at the party 👑 📸 X/weuro2025

There is only one Lucy Bronze, and you can find her at the party 👑 📸 X/weuro2025

Today we visited the UK’s only community-owned fish and chips with Co-operative Mayor Richard Parker.

This business proves community ownership isn’t just for cafes or retailers - it can power any business on the high street. 🐟

Listening to the inspiring @mayorofwy.bsky.social about how our co-op movement can offer hope, when it's desperately needed. 🐝

A first for me - our Co-operative Leaders Forum in Leeds this morning - great to hear how our values are informing local government.

Co-operative Party@coopparty.party.coop · last yr.

This morning, we welcomed leaders in local government to Leeds, to speak with Local Government Minister and Chair of our Party, Jim McMahon MP. Our local government representatives put our values into place each and every day, up and down the country.

"The ninth anniversary of Jo Cox’s murder today offers a moment for us to reflect, and to remember Jo’s life and the change she made. It’s also an opportunity for us to recommit to working towards the kinder, fairer and more tolerant world that she believed in." - @jocoxfoundation.bsky.social

At least 10 hours left to go and make a difference...

Co-operative Party@coopparty.party.coop · last yr.

Polls are open!   You heard Emma. Make a difference for your community today and vote for your local Labour & Co-operative candidates.   You have until 10PM, and bring ID!

Congratulations to our newest Labour & Co-operative Councillor Adele Cook, who won the by-election in Ipswich last night.

@ipswichlabour.bsky.social · last yr.

Suffolk County Council St John's division residents, remember to vote for Adele Cook in today's SCC byelection. Polls open until 10pm.

Co-operative housing is housing done differently. Yet while it is commonplace abroad, and rightly so, it makes up a vanishingly small part of the UK sector. Defining it in law will help change that, writes Labour MP @andrewpakes.bsky.social

My bill will help co-operative housing play a bigger role in solving the affordability crisis

Co-operative housing is housing done differently. Yet while it is commonplace abroad, and rightly so, it makes up a vanishingly small part of the U...

politicshome.com

Stuck on a train.....again!