"Design matters—our spaces can be as powerful as our services." At the Designing Libraries Conference today, our CDO Sonia Ramdhian spoke on how intentional physical design transforms libraries into safe sanctuaries that build confidence, autonomy, and connection.

Have you booked yet ? Only a few places left - come and learn from both UK and international speakers sharing experiences on library design. www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...

Fantastic night out the Birmingham Rep enjoying the new A Midsummer Night’s Dream adaptation. Made in Brum! This is what the audience thought!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” — Thomas Merton. #StratfordCreates

I had a fantastic time over the weekend being part of the celebrations for Shakespeare’s 462nd birthday 🎭 There’s something truly special about experiencing it in Stratford-upon-Avon, his hometown, where the streets come alive with history and creativity.

Happy Basisakhi friends and colleagues

Wishing all friends and colleagues who are celebrating a very Happy #Easter! 🐣

Happy Passover to everyone.... Here’s a page from the 1430 Darmstadt Haggadah, one of my favourite editions: the illuminations are so gorgeous. The book of the Exodus story is usually read tonight around the table of the Seder dinner.

A fantastic celebration of reading in Warwickshire! 📚 Over 500 young people joined the Secondary Book Awards—full of energy and love for books. Congrats to winner Jenny Pearson (Shrapnel Boys) and all shortlisted authors. A brilliant showcase of young voices and creativity. #NationalYearOfReading

Stairs of Knowledge at the University of Balamand, Lebanon. Walking up these stairs is literally a step toward higher education. A Tribute To Modern Day Thinkers (10 Photos): streetartutopia.com/2026/01/09/a...

Last April, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust announced its interim chief executive would serve in the role permanently. Rachael North reflects on the first year in the role. 🔗https://museumsandheritage.com/advisor/posts/rachael-north-my-first-year-as-ceo-of-the-shakespeare-birthplace-trust/

Spent part of my Saturday back at Shire Hall exploring the “Portraits of the Shire Hall” tour. What looks like decoration is actually a collection full of stories—from local figures to monarchs. A great reminder that history is often hiding in plain sight—and worth pausing for#Heritage #LocalHistory

Eid Mubarak to those celebrating 🌙✨ This beautiful occasion brings warmth, happiness and blessings to your home, filling it with peace and grace.💫 #Eid #EidMubarak #Eid2026 #Eid al-Fitr

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting some remarkable libraries and meeting dedicated library staff across the Middle East — including Iraq, Oman, Jordan, Qatar, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia. The passion for knowledge, community, and learning is truly inspiring.

Fantastic few days in Paris 🇫🇷 reconnecting with colleagues from across the global library community. Great discussions on library design & collaboration at @IFLA Library Design Section mid-year meeting, plus visits to some amazing libraries.

A fascinating visit to Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris 🇫🇷 Discovering the rich story of Paris and reflecting on the centuries of shared history between France and the UK 🇬🇧 — from rivalry to alliance, our past is deeply connected. #Paris #UKFrance #History

An inspiring day at Warwick Castle meeting in 17th century Italian Library with our amazing DL sponsors #bibliotheca @designconceptuk.bsky.social #fgl #openingthebook Discussions covered web enhancements,IFLA collaboration & planning for an upcoming national conference on #librarydesign

Some “cheesy”chat up lines from Warwickshire Libraries for ❤️ Check out our instagram platform instagram.com/warwickshire_l… Don’t be left on the shelf this valentines…🥴

Feeling lucky to live near so many brilliant theatres — nothing beats live performance. Growing up it wasn’t something we could afford, so I’m definitely making up for it now! Instead of books, I’m sharing the plays I’ve seen. Best so far: A Thousand Splendid Suns - simple staging, stunning impact.

Read our latest perspectives article where @ayubkhan786.bsky.social has an insightful talk with Sue Mckenzie about her work as a library consultant: designinglibraries.org.uk/perspectives...

Information Professional Digital Winter 2025 features Designing Libraries Director @ayubkhan786.bsky.social discussing trends in library design and technology designinglibraries.org.uk/news/trends-...

Looking back over 25 years ago, would never have imagined our research in Birmingham would have such an impact! www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...

From local projects to big ideas, 2025 has been a rewarding year in Warwickshire. Here are some of my favourite moments

Curious about Artificial Intelligence but not sure where to start? In 2026, Warwickshire Libraries will launch friendly AI awareness workshops designed especially for older people. #AI #DigitalInclusion #Libraries Keep an eye of the Warwickshire Libraries website for further details

For some, the Christmas period can be lonely & cold. Everyone is given a Warm Welcome in Warwickshire Libraries providing safe friendly & comfortable spaces for residents to relax, connect and support throughout the colder months. We have a number of sessions: tinyurl.com/mrx4sfnd

Feeling Christmassy after attending Shakespeare Birthplace Trust's carol service last night at the wonderful Guild Chapel. Wonderful readings from local colleagues, who make such a difference to the community. Thank you Paul Edmondson for putting on such a lovely event

Great session at the RSC with key local stakeholders hearing about the new 2025-2030 strategic plan, work on skills development and update on the Towns Arts and Culture strategy. Also good to meet Paul Hayes the new commercial director outlining plans to increase income and visitor numbers.

Warwickshire Libraries staff love a good celebration, especially when it involves literary legends! To mark 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth, our amazing library staff went all in with Regency Revels at Kenilworth & Southam Libraries youtube.com/shorts/a0_0h... #JaneAusten250 #Libraries

Massive thank you to Meet & Greet team at Warwickshire County Council for setting up such a gorgeous Christmas tree. Decorations elegant. I had honour of placing the fairy on top. It's a privilege to lead the Meet and Greet team as they are truly "Director of First Impressions" for the Council.

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...

Fascinating talk at Old Shire Hall in Warwick regarding The Battle of Saragarhi which was a last-stand battle fought before the Tirah Campaign between the British Indian Empire and Afghan tribesmen. A collaboration between @Warwickshire_CC @LordLeycester #SHAWL

Hats off (excuse the witchy pun) to Warwickshire Libraries Team's social media reels on Warwickshire County Council Libraries Instagram (@warwickshire_libraries) account. Great engagement and fun. Here is one of my favourites, as our Mobile Libraries are magically turned into a Witch's Lair!

Happy Halloween from the newest member of the Khan family.

Fantastic to see the work of the Warwickshire County Council Heritage and Culture Team transform St John’s House, a Jacobean old mansion with a 900 year history, into a spooky spectacular Halloween destination. Well done everyone involved.

We have curated a list of resources and links about National and international websites, online information sources and image galleries featuring library buildings and library design examples, all in one section as a one stop shop for anyone to access: designinglibraries.org.uk/resources/re...

Fantastic news for the profession in the UK.

Lighting a candle for Katherine of Aragon who died on 7 January 1536, aged just 50 years old. She was the first wife of Henry VIII. Katherine is buried at Peterborough Cathedral.

Honoured to join Booktrust Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, for afternoon tea, at Clarence House to celebrate 100 years of BookTrust. Thrilled to be part of this journey piloting the Bookstart initiative in Birmingham 25 years ago!

Read Daniela Hislop CEO of @designconceptuk.bsky.social captivating global perspective on library design @lizmcgettigan.bsky.social designinglibraries.org.uk/news/a-globa...

Check out this Designing Libraries in the 21st Century conference, taking place between September 28th - 30th at the University of Rochester in New York. More details here: www.library.rochester.edu/designinglib...

See you in Busan 2026! @ifla.org

@ifla.org @ayubkhan786.bsky.social The winner of the IFLA public library of the year award 2025 will be announced very soon, but in the meantime, find out about the shortlisted applicants designinglibraries.org.uk/news/shortli...

Popped into Market Hall Museum, Warwick and great to see the Stone Age activities in action, particularly the clay making pots!

Themes still as relevant today then when it was published in the 60s.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Public #Libraries hold extraordinary loyalty in their local communities, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director of @mhlibrarysystem.bsky.social told us at #LCSeminar2025. These connections mean they are ideally situated to tackle many of the greatest problems we face. sustainablelibraries.org

Thank you @fionatwycross @DcmsLibraries Minister for libraries for visiting Rugby @Warwickshire_CC @warkslibraries with local MP @JohnSlinger during Libraries Week to see first hand the wide range of activities on offer.

One of the grandest entrances through an old foundry to a library I’ve ever seen and visited in the UK, at St Helen’s glass museum and library #theworldofglass @designinglibraries.bsky.social

@designconceptuk.bsky.social @lizmcgettigan.bsky.social @ayubkhan786.bsky.social Experience the grand reopening of Chorlton Library, a historic Grade II-listed landmark in Manchester, meticulously refurbished to blend heritage with innovation. designinglibraries.org.uk/case-studies...

Creative #FridayFeeling Read all about this fascinating interactive sound archives sculpture, 'The Listening Desk,' which is now permanently installed in six libraries across the UK. designinglibraries.org.uk/news/listeni...