🎉 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

A Checklist for Engaging Young People in Library Spaces (from actual young people) At our recent conference we held a youth panel, to hear directly from young people about what actually engages them in library spaces. We’ve turned their thoughts and ideas into a simple checklist! 😊

Need a reason to believe in the power of libraries? We had over 200 people from public and school library services join us for our conference last week. Check out this photo of our Chief Executive, Tabitha, with librarian and mental health advocate Mychal Threets. The library joy was real!

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

Only a few tickets left for our Annual Conference on 19 Nov Creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today. Why come? 📢 Speakers: Mychal Threets, Prof Laura Lundy & Motaz Amer ✨ Practical, interactive sessions 📖 Explore the Expo Zone Don’t miss out!

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...

Something new is coming... Only 7 days until a new vision for our charity begins… curious? Find out first at our Virtual Conference on 19th November: events.ringcentral.com/events/ascel...

We're delighted to be sponsoring @ascelnetwork.bsky.social's upcoming virtual conference on 19 November! We were also delighted to welcome the ASCEL team to our bookshop earlier this month, discussing ways we can work alongside one another to ensure readers stay at the heart of what we do.

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...

We're delighted to announce @peters-books.bsky.social as sponsors of our conference in November For over 90 years Peters has worked with libraries and schools across the UK helping children discover a love of reading To celebrate our new partnership we went behind the scenes at the Peters bookshop

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

FEA has launched England's Report Card, which highlights widening gaps & shared goals that will ensure no child’s success is limited by their socioeconomic background 'A child’s early years present the greatest opportunity to impact their life trajectory.' Libraries have an important role to play

We welcome the commitment to ensuring every primary school in the country has a library by the end of this Parliament. We look forward to supporting the work of #LibrariesforPrimaries National Literacy Trust & Penguin Random House UK through this important phase of development tinyurl.com/34z6cyw7

As temperatures rise again in the UK, remember that many public #Libraries are 'cool spaces' where people can go to escape the heat. Find out more about Manchester Libraries' role as 'Cool Spaces'. manclibraries.blog/cool-spaces/

Congratulations to all the #Carnegies2025 winners and their love for libraries and librarians 🙌 "a library without a librarian is just a room full of books," thank you Nate Lessore! Now it's time to borrow a copy from your library, settle down in a cool shady place and dive into a new book 📖

✨ We are delighted to unveil the #BookTrustStorytime Prize 2026 shortlist! ✨ Here, this year's winner Lucy Rowland introduces the five brilliant titles that will be part of our BookTrust Storytime programme in libraries. Find out more: www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...

🎉Happy Empathy Day!🎉 Today, we're celebrating the power of reading to build real life empathy. Help us raise an empathy-educated generation. Whose story will you jump into today? How are you celebrating Empathy Day? Tag us in your photos and stories we’d love to see them!

At #LCSeminar2025, @lucybanks.bsky.social spoke about the @ascelnetwork.bsky.social Youth Engagement Network. ASCEL is working with #Libraries across the country to ensure young people's voices are heard within our sector. Find out more about the pilot phase results here: ascel.org.uk/node/357

Some brilliant outcomes of the youth engagement network here - the approach definitely does work: Particularly 100% felt listened to - something that’s typically a huge issue for government and gov services @lucybanks.bsky.social #LCSeminar2025

Hearing from @lucybanks.bsky.social of @ascelnetwork.bsky.social About their youth engagement network, how it works and what they tell us about libraries Great fundamentals here on what it’s based on #LCSeminar2025

Congratulations to our member Amy and her team in @hulllibraries.bsky.social Also to the runners up, ASCEL member Jane and her colleagues in Hertfordshire libraires. Well deserved national recognition for our members work creating innovative and inspiring opportunities for children and young people!

'Public #Libraries have all the apparatus within them to build happiness', @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social told us at #LCSeminar2025. Thank you Frank for a wonderful endorsement of libraries. You can read 'Reading Rights' in full here: www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new... @booktrust.org.uk

We are in Warwickshire for the first day of the Libraries Connected Seminar 2025. Right now we are hearing about some fascinating #Library work including lessons from the @thenationallottery.bsky.social #HeritageFunded Black British Ballet project. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/2025-annual-...

Our members help #LibrariesChangeLives by promoting the life-changing benefits for children who #ReadForPleasure. Our new report found 90% of young people who worked to co-create activities felt more welcome in the library. It's why we promote amplifying young voices. tinyurl.com/ynjebmxn

Our trustees give so much to our organisation, without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. A huge thank you to them! #VolunteersWeek

🎉And we're off! 🎉 Our brilliant Children’s Laureate @Frank_CottrellBoyce and a whole host of amazing author and illustrator friends taking part in the EmpathyDayFestival share what we have in store for you! Join us - register for your free resources at www.empathylab.uk

“Something I didn’t know before is how fun the library is.” #LibrariesChangeLives for children and young people in so many ways with inspiring, welcoming and inclusive spaces that reduce inequality and improve health and wellbeing. youtu.be/A05s8S9Khsc?...

We are very pleased to announce the successful projects for the third round of our #ACESupported Microgrants programme. You can read more about the exciting projects that #Libraries have planned here: www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/success...

Our Chief Exec, Tabitha shared learning from our Youth Engagement Network with an international audience at Next Library in Aarhus, Denmark, prompting connection with exciting practices and programmes around the world. Read about the pilot project here tinyurl.com/ynjebmxn

Valuable meeting with Baroness Twycross, Libraries Minister, today. Great to be alongside Isobel ( @ih1968.bsky.social ), @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social and sector partners to talk all things libraries - including the magic for children and young people and the opportunities ahead.

Our Foyle Foundation-funded online learning module SparkSpace needs a co-creative content producer! Do you work co-creatively with children & young people? Do you have expertise in producing visual/ written content to teach & empower others? Deadline for proposals is 13th June, 2025. bit.ly/4k68Bhl

Highlighting the importance and life-long benefits of reading for pleasure and shared reading for children, from their earliest years. Visiting a library may be the first time a child has access to books, let's make sure every child has that opportunity. #ReadingRights

Huge Congratulations to everyone at Manchester Libraries for this campaign with Blue Peter. Children who #ReadForPleasure can improve their educational outcomes, learn empathy and widen their world view. Reading is a superpower! #Libraries

‪ 🌞The sun is shining over Parliament as our CEO @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social heads over to the Westminster Hall debate: Future of public libraries tabled by Jonathan Davies MP. Now live on Parliament Live TV: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

Jonathan Davies MP will be leading a Westminster Hall debate on the future of public libraries this Wednesday at 9.30am. You should be able to watch the debate live at parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

We're Recruiting! Could you be our next Chair of Trustees, or have the skills we need to expand our trustee board? All details and supporting documents for both the Chair and Trustee roles on our website. Closing date: midday 2nd June 2025 www.ascel.org.uk/node/364 #Trustees #Recruitment

This #WorldBookNight take time to read as a family, even better borrow a book from your local library! Reading for pleasure can build empathy, increase confidence and spark the imagination. Join in with this celebration of reading from @readingagency.bsky.social

Our CEO @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social highlights the “lack of robust evidence” about how widespread censorship is in the UK and which books are not available. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...

Are you a public #Library leader keen to help develop the next generation? If so, you may be interested in our Mentoring Scheme. Apply to become a mentor by 18 April. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/librari...

The #SummerReadingChallenge booklist for 2025 has been revealed! Take a look and then start borrowing the titles for free from your local #Library. summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/story-garden...

Great to hear #BBCR4 Today prog praise the value of libraries. Librarian Jennifer Horan & library volunteer Jenny Barrie explain the great ways they encourage reading outside school term. Loans are up & lots of creative activity for all ages. #LibrariesChangeLives www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... 2:53

Yesterday the National Engaging Communities in Arts and Culture Conference took place at The Lowry in Salford. The conference showcased the impact of arts and culture on improving wellbeing and broadening opportunities. #LetsEngage25

#BookTrustStorytime voting closes tomorrow - thank you to all the libraries who took part! We've loved seeing how you've used the books & resources to connect with families in your communities through group story sharing. @cilip.bsky.social @ascelnetwork.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social

Libraries, we've loved seeing & hearing about the amazing things you've been doing with #BookTrustStorytime! Don't forget to vote and have your say on which book should be crowned the BookTrust Storytime Prize winner... @ascelnetwork.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social

Want a glimpse into the minds children? Analysis of the stories from the BBC 500Words competition shows their creativity, imaginative use of words and how they see their world. From Taylor Swift and TikTok to an awareness of wellbeing and elections. fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...

Happy #WorldBookDay! Here's a shout-out to all the libraries who are running fun events and activities today - we hope all the children taking part are having fun and enjoying reading!

New for ASCEL Members! Skills Development Pack 2024, supporting your team's professional development. Our one-stop resource for your skills assessment, mapping and training planning. @librariesconnected.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social bit.ly/ASCELSkillsP...

Our quarterly team meet up is going to be a bit different today. @ascelnetwork.bsky.social are having a joint team day with the @librariesconnected.bsky.social crew! I can’t wait to have lots of brilliant conversations and shared learning. #lovelibraries

New recipients of @librariesconnected.bsky.social micro-grants. Showcasing the range of community programmes from libraries, included supporting & engaging with families & young people. Congratulations all, looking forward to seeing the projects in action! funded by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social

Very welcome news. £5.5 million investment for libraries to improve buildings and technology. Libraries Improvement Fund rounds 1-3 included great projects modernising spaces and digital developments to support children and young people to thrive in their communities. Here’s to round 4 👏