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...

📚 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...

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.

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...

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!

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.

"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...

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

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

Stuck on a train.....again!

We wish a happy and healthy Eid al-Fitr to all Muslims celebrating in the UK and around the world.

Great to speak to Sheffield Co-op Party this evening about all things community, co-operation and politics.

Great launch event for Ros Jones’s re-election campaign this morning. She’s been a brilliant leader for Doncaster - we need to keep her as part of Team South Yorkshire.

Great to be at the Doncaster Mayoral Launch - and a great bunch of @coopparty.party.coop MPs here alongside our Co-op council candidates.

A fantastic end to #coopretail conference today, with @coopparty.party.coop General Secretary @fortunejf.bsky.social - delivering for our movement over last 12 months.

At #coopretail conference this weekend, representing the political voice of the co-operative movement. Includes an important update on our work in government by our General Secretary @fortunejf.bsky.social.

A busy day with @coopparty.party.coop at Yorkshire & Humber Regional Labour Party Conference. Great to hear Diana Johnson MP speak about the commitment to tackling retail crime by the government.

We are wishing a peaceful and blessed Ramadan to all those celebrating. May this holy month bring happiness and blessings to you and your loved ones.

At the launch of @coopparty.party.coop's Community Britain. A look at how people are already addressing the issues we face in communities all over the country.

Hate divides communities. Co-operation builds them. @coopparty.party.coop new campaign Community Britain is about giving power back to local people and rebuilding our country from the ground up. party.coop/community/

Today, we're launching our vision to put communities at the heart of politics. Community Britain is about making the extraordinary stories in every community, ordinary. Read more from @fortunejf.bsky.social https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/we-must-do-more-to-empower-communities

Great news!

❗❗❗ former leader of Reform UK in Wales has appeared in court accused of accepting bribes in exchange for making statements in the European Parliament that would benefit Russia, a court has heard www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Yesterday we received a random act of kindness package on the street from some little people - thank you x

Co-operatives have always had the ambition and drive to change our country. Now, with a Westminster government backing our vision to double the size of the co-ops and mutuals sector, we're ready to take the opportunity.

A great start to the Co-op Councils Conference, with Cllr Anthony Okereke sharing his values as a Co-op Councillor and announcing a new £1million community energy fund.

An excellent final panel of co-operators at #LabLocal25. The architect of devolution and Co-op Party Chair @jimmcmahon.co.uk, alongside @florenceeshalomi.bsky.social and Baroness Sharon Taylor.

Great to chair the @coopparty.party.coop fringe at Labour Local Government Conference. Great discussion about the importance of local power plans and community energy across the country with @tomhayesmp.bsky.social @mlolavar.bsky.social and Hugh Goulbourne

Great panel for our discussion on the Local Power Plan and the role of communities. Hearing from Tom Hayes MP, Cllr Miriam Lolavar, Cllr Adam Hug and Hugh Gouldbourne. #LabLocal25

Spending a Sunday at #LabLocal25 listening to the Deputy Prime Minister before our excellent @coopparty.party.coop fringe at lunchtime.

This week I launched 3 Mayoral Challenge Funds, to support York and North Yorkshire’s high streets, our ambition to be the first carbon negative region in the UK, and innovation in skills. Find out more below. yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/p...

This morning is the @coopparty.party.coop's South West conference. Looking forward to speaking with @jimrobbins.bsky.social, @tomrenhard.bsky.social, @lukepollard.bsky.social, about how they are putting co-op ideas into action! It's all online so you can join in too!

Survivors of Auschwitz deliver warning from history - www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

So important that we remember this every year and remind ourselves of the horror of what we can do to each other.

One of the best speeches I've seen for a long while, and off the cuff too. Have a watch 👇

Love seeing the spotlight shining on our parent company, @midcountiescoop.bsky.social partnership with @bigsolarcoop.bsky.social 🤝 Their latest project installed 162 solar panels on the Shrewsbury store, cutting 12+ tonnes of CO2 annually - & they’re aiming to reduce total emissions by 40% by 2026🌱

A great start to the UN Year of Co-operatives meeting co-operators from the Philippines in Manchester today - discussing the @coopparty.party.coop, energy and legislation!

A lovely story of the difference Fruit Works Co-operative is making in Leeds. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...