We were delighted to see our Head of Research & Evaluation Carina Spaulding on BBC The One Show discussing the power of social connections in developing a reader identity. Watch the clip here from 1:55-5:25 👇 www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

It's never too early to start reading with a baby... Research shows that early shared reading has so many benefits - some right here and now, and some that can last a lifetime. Find out how #Bookstart Baby packs help families to share books and stories: https://bit.ly/4ejk2Cs #BabyDay

Come with us to the regional conference for @librariesconnected.org.uk North West! A day to celebrate libraries and explore how we can continue to evolve, grow and thrive 📚🌱Thank you to everyone that made this day of creativity, learning and reflection possible 🩷

Today is National Tell a Story Day, a celebration of the joys and benefits of storytelling. As @booktrust.org.uk research has shown, stories are crucial to children's ability to understand the world around them. Public libraries, through activities like rhymetimes, play a central role in this.

Impromptu solo day out to one of my favourite cities. Feat. museum, library, shops, brunch. #Liverpool #DayOut

Cambridge University Libraries & @bodleian.ox.ac.uk, with support from CILIP & @librariesconnected.org.uk, have published a review showcasing the value of public libraries across the UK: https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006261431330

Picked up a new book! Intrigued by the concept of 'municipal folklore': 'customs that...might not have fallen under the heading of folk because they have generally been associated with councils or institutions.' Now hiding from tree pollen 🤧 #booksky #hayfever #argh @lallymacbeth.bsky.social

Libraries through life starts with the very youngest. 🧡 A pleasure to be at the launch of the Libraries Alliance today with @librariesrising.bsky.social Fascinating to hear about parts of the sector I don't know much about too. @librariesconnected.org.uk

Interested in joining our team as our new Development and Delivery Manager? We’re looking for someone who can help us secure and shape the work we want to deliver, bringing a values-led approach to funding and development. Closing date: 9:00am 8th April librariesrising.org.uk/resource/dev...

New book & sunshine. I've been looking forward to getting my hands on this for weeks. @traveloguer.bsky.social #booksky #lancashire

We are seeking new Trustees to help champion the value of public libraries by shaping our strategic direction and overseeing our governance. If you want to support our work in strengthening the library sector, apply by 30 March. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/opportunitie...

Blackpool, Ipswich, Milton Keynes among nine finalists for UK City of Culture 2029 The nine-strong longlist of cities will receive a £60,000 boost of funding to develop a full bid plan.

We are very pleased to reveal the shortlists for the Libraries Connected Awards 2026, sponsored by OverDrive. All nominees stand out for their commitment to going above and beyond their daily roles, delivering exceptional services for communities. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/shortli...

One of my favourite libraries! (Shhh, don't tell the others!) Proud of my colleagues for their work on this project 👏

A pleasure to host @better-start.bsky.social and children's services colleagues at Palatine Library today for #NationalYearOfReading fun 😊 (Not me just excited to get a quick play with some googly eyes! 👀👀) #GoAllIn #Blackpool @readingagency.bsky.social @literacy-trust.bsky.social

An absolute privilege to host another @loudinlibraries.bsky.social academy at #Blackpool Central Library 🧡 Never ceases to amaze me how talented and creative our young people are.

SparkSpace from @librariesrising.bsky.social recognises that the feeling of welcome that libraries generate 'cannot be assumed' but 'needs to be actively built, through listening, trust and shared ownership.' www.londondaily.news/libraries-ar...

Such a great day!

SparkSpace is coming. 27.01.2026 Here's what SparkSpace can do for your Library teams...

We created a #ReadingWell for dementia booklist to support people living with dementia, their loved ones and carers. ⁠ The expert-endorsed list features titles recommended by people affected by dementia, health professionals and library staff. ⁠ Find out more: www.reading-well.org.uk/dementia⁠

We got a great question recently asking for books about different family set ups. Our Book Doctors are here to help with all your book-related queries, including recommendations on particular topics or for different kinds of readers. Got a question for them? Drop it in the comments 👇

Despite prison libraries being a statutory right, 68% of prisoners don't feel that people in their prison get enough access to the library and 25% are not able to access it at all www.thebookseller.com/news/most-pr...

We hear and read much about 'social value' in conjunction with public #Libraries, but what does the term really mean? Our Regional Development Administrator Chad Bentley explains... www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/social-...

📢 Calling all libraries! #BookTrustStorytime voting is now open - this is your chance to share families' views and help us pick the next BookTrust Storytime winner. 👉 Check your email for all the details you need! @librariesconnected.bsky.social @librariesrising.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social

🎉🎉🎉🎉

Recent audiobooks. #BookSky

Christmas books. #BookSky

As we approach the end of a year of opportunities and challenges for public #Libraries, we cast our minds back to reflect on our work. Here are some of the highlights from the projects, programmes, events and advocacy we have delivered in 2025. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/our-hig...

🎉 Congratulations to the 20 libraries that have joined the Libraries Development Framework 🎉 We're so pleased to celebrate every service selected and we look forward to seeing their impact for children, young people and their wider communities! Explore the full list: buff.ly/qE4jRj2

Our all ages @loudinlibraries.bsky.social matinee show at Lancaster Library with Get Down Services is already half sold out after going on sale at 10am - great fun band and a wizard way to spend a Sunday afternoon #libraries Psst.. @eddierobson.bsky.social Tix www.seetickets.com/event/get-do...

ICYMI: Ahead of the National Year of Reading, the Education Committee has launched a new inquiry to understand how reading can be nurtured following the decline in the number of children reading for pleasure 👇 #BookSky

The wait is finally over… our new brand is here. Welcome to Libraries Rising! We’re creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today, and we’re so excited to share this next chapter with you. Watch Tabitha’s announcement and explore our new website: librariesrising.org.uk

An inspiring day at the first @librariesrising.bsky.social online conference. A new name and a new brand - exciting times ahead! 😍 PS. I LOVED hearing @mychal3ts.bsky.social speak! #LibraryJoy

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...

We believe in the future of libraries. We believe in amplifying the voices of children and young people. We believe change can be good. Be amongst the first to hear what’s changing for our charity at our conference, going live in 2 days. Book your place: events.ringcentral.com/events/ascel...

Half Happy at Blackpool Central Library for a Get It Loud In Libraries gig. Great band and a nice crowd too

Better Joy, Get It Loud in Libraries, Blackpool 🤩

Excited!

The new virtual autumn conference from @ascelnetwork.bsky.social on 19 November is all about fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and creative sparks. Speakers will address the theme of creating the #Libraries of tomorrow, with children and young people today. ascel.org.uk/ascel-confer...

Congratulations to Lancashire Adult Learning, winner of the Healthier Futures Award at #GetTheNationLearning Awards run by @learnworkuk.bsky.social. A partnership with Lancashire #Libraries has created learning programmes tailored to community needs. www.burnleyexpress.net/education/la...

The government has pledged to create the healthiest generation of children ever. But did you know that shared reading can support this goal? That's because reading has benefits for mental wellbeing, self-esteem, socio-emotional skills and self-regulation. Find out more 👇 https://bit.ly/4qiuQnZ

A uniquely #Blackpool mark of the change of season is arriving at work and the tower lights are on. #autumn

95% of our partners feel our Early Years programmes support them to engage with families - and are effective at helping families to get reading together. Find out more about how we work with Early Years practitioners in our latest Impact Report: https://bit.ly/4q5gxCU

We welcome the news that the government have committed to 'providing a library in every primary school’. School Library Services provide a wide range of stock, expertise and resources. They're the most cost-effective model and need to be at the forefront of this important plan. tinyurl.com/yapr86vd

The Libraries Connected Awards 2026 are now open for nominations! We want to hear about, and celebrate, the individuals and teams working in public #Libraries who change the lives of their communities. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/libraries-co...

The algorithm is trolling me.

The 2025 ‘State of the Nation’ report from @readingagency.bsky.social finds 47% of adults reject the ‘reader’ label, though many are reading by consuming text in other forms. Public #Libraries are places where reading is celebrated in its great diversity. readingagency.org.uk/the-state-of...

We welcome today's government announcement on the future of youth hubs. We are particularly pleased that public #Libraries have been chosen as a key partner for this planned expansion of youth services. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/librari...

Are kids at private school 5x as smart as those in the state sector? Of course not - but they are 5x as likely to end up in the most powerful and influential positions in Britain today. New @suttontrust.bsky.social research - Elitist Britain.

Ahead of this year's Green Libraries Week and Annual Conference, all library, knowledge and information services can get involved, learn and share what they're doing for the planet www.cilip.org.uk/general/cust... #GreenLibraries