WINTER 2024/2025 PRICE £2.00

No. 107 ISSN 0266-6065

The Library Campaign

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Registered charity (England & Wales) No. 1102634

Elected Officers

Laura Swaffield London

Andrew Coburn Essex

Members of the Executive Committee

Geoffrey Dron Bolton
Bob Goodrick London
Barney Allan Middlesex
James Fish Wigan
Isadore Auerbach George London

Good news, bad news…

It’s not a very happy New Year. Disinformation - on social media and elsewhere – is being ramped up on a global scale. At home, it’s now clear that public services won’t be getting the kind of funding they need to undo past damage.

Public libraries continue to be supremely adaptable. They can serve just about anyone. They can make bricks without straw. They can cope with chronic underfunding and acute crises. The danger is that decision-makers will assume they can carry on at this pace, indefinitely.

This issue covers a wide territory. Our very selective 2024–25 review shows that it’s often very worthwhile campaigning against damaging plans. But damaging plans still proliferate.

The Spellow story illustrates the huge – nationwide – affection for libraries and all they stand for. And why this matters. But new research on ‘barriers’ to library usage tells the same old story - too many people have no idea what libraries offer them.

The Local Government Association brilliantly illustrates the minefield that councils have to negotiate to get any funding for culture. Then a section on culture and creativity shows the key role that libraries can play here. Examples include a stunning project by a Friends group.

Finally: reading for pleasure continues to decline among young people. But a host of creative projects show how libraries can draw them in. But only with adequate staffing and (often) support from local resources.

Which brings us to Friends groups! Libraries need local supporters more than ever. The Library Campaign needs evidence of good practice more than ever. That’s why we are bribing you to tell us what you are doing. Turn the page to find out more!

THE LIBRARY CAMPAIGNER
WINTER 2024/2025, No.107

EDITOR: Laura Swaffield DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Owain Hammonds
CONTRIBUTORS: ASCEL (Association of Senior Children’s & Education Librarians), BookTrust, Sir Chris Bryant, Amelia Byrne, Debbie Hicks, Polly Hollings, Carole Knowles, Libraries Connected, Local Government Association, National Literacy Trust, The Reading Agency, Laura Swaffield. COVER PHOTO: Liverpool City Council

4 NEW CAMPAIGN TOOLS
News you can use!

5 TLC NEWS & COMPETITION!

BEST & WORST OF 2024

6 THE BEST – CAMPAIGNING WORKS!
Good news all through the year, including…

8 THE WORST OF 2024 – AND 2025
Two different ways to damage libraries…

9 WATCHLIST 2025
Next deadlines & decisions.

10 SPELLOW GLOWS WITH SPIRIT
Best news story of the year? Plus three new reports that draw some crucial lessons.

12 NEW MINISTER, NEW REPORT!
Signs for the immediate future, from Sir Chris Bryant.

13 WHAT THE REPORT SAYS…
Laura Swaffield reviews the new research on why people use or don’t use libraries – and finds few surprises.

14 BARRIERS TO ENGAGEMENT
Polly Hollings and Amelia Byrne set out the key findings.

15 IDEAS FROM THE REPORT
From the people surveyed – practical advice.

17 THE LOCAL FUNDING JUNGLE
The Local Government Association illustrates the dauntingly complex situation local councils face.

20 NEWS

21 LIBRARIES – OUR CREATIVE BACKBONE
Libraries Connected spells out the vital role that libraries play in culture.

23 CULTURE GETS LOCAL, THANKS TO FRIENDS
Carole Knowles describes a stunning culture project by Friends of Horbury Library.

25 LIBRARIES – FIRST STEP TO CULTURE
The Library Campaign made the case for libraries and culture years ago…

27 BALLET PIONEERS
Libraries are the obvious venue for a new exhibition on Britain’s black dancers.

28 ANOTHER LIBRARY TOUR
A Cornwall museum takes advantage of libraries’ community connections.

29 NEW LAUREATE, NEW CAMPAIGN
Frank Cottrell-Boyce has a mission.

30 NATIONAL READING EMERGENCY
BookTrust has more bad news about children’s enjoyment of reading.

31 AND IT GETS WORSE…
National Literacy Trust records a recent sharp decline.

32 SPARKING INTEREST IN SCIENCE
The Reading Agency is developing libraries’ role linking storytelling to ‘science confidence’.

33 INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE
ASCEL is piloting ways for libraries to engage the most marginalised young people.

34 JUST CHILL…
Teenagers may not admit they have mental health worries, says The Reading Agency.

35 WHAT IS READING ANYWAY?
Debbie Hicks argues that gaming is creative, and a way in to reading.

36 JOIN US!
The more TLC grows, the stronger we get.

New campaign tools

PM BACKS LIBRARIES!

After the government’s five ‘missions’ come six…er, ‘milestones’. In early December the Prime Minister came up with his new list. It apparently forms a ‘Plan for Change… to give the British people the power to hold our feet to the fire’.

This has caused some puzzlement. But there’s no mistaking the importance of one of them: to ensure that 75% of five-year-olds are ready to learn when they start school. The PM specifically mentioned the fact that there are too many children in reception classes ‘who aren’t starting to read’.

Libraries have a very strong case to make here. Local councils (should) distribute Bookstart packs – linked to libraries – to all their children, at three stages – babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. There are also special packs for children with extra needs, those with hearing, sight or motor skills problems – and families whose first language isn’t English.

Sessions for carers and small children are, of course, the backbone of libraries’ offer. BookTrust is steadily expanding its Storytime scheme to make sure families feel welcome in the library and get extra resources. We wrote about it in our magazine (page 11): https://librarycampaign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/LC101_231013.pdf

And Libraries Connected already has a report on how kids gain from visiting the library before starting school, presciently titled “Ready to Learn”. Read about it here (page 25): https://librarycampaign.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TLC-105-Autmn-23.pdf

Thank you, Save Lincs Libraries!

We think the competition is a positive way to spend some of a generous four-figure bequest from Save Lincolnshire Libraries (SLL). Friends need support (including the financial kind) and TLC needs as much evidence as possible of the good work they do. The competition aims to carry on SLL’s work in this and other ways.

SLL can be proud of its work. Though it is still interested in library matters, it has decided to shut down its bank account.

What is SLL’s story? In 2013 the council introduced a drastic plan to close 29 of its 44 libraries (and, predictably, hand them over to volunteers). SLL set up a stunning campaign. It still remains an example of ideal practice.

Plenty of demos, lobbying, petitions, steady media cover and other proofs of massive public support – of course. They also pioneered the use of social media (including live tweeting from the High Court), and an exemplary website that shared news and tips, united groups in many villages, and compiled much information (including furious comments from ‘volunteers’, making it quite clear that they they didn’t want to run libraries at all).

That has sadly gone, but the Facebook page1 remains – a fascinating account of SLL’s many activities, other campaigns and the national picture, 2013–2024! A unique resource.

Meanwhile, the council remained adamant. Undeterred, SLL organised a judicial review – an immense and potentially expensive undertaking (TLC gave £1,000 to help). And they won on two counts! The judge remarked that he had never before come across a consultation where every single response had been negative.

Briefly, he found the consultation was flawed. And Lincs CC was wrong to refuse even to consider an alternative plan (submitted by GLL) that would save all the libraries, and all the librarians’ jobs.

As often happens, the council simply did the whole exercise again and decided to carry on. A second attempted judicial review failed.

Ironically, after many twists and turns, the council did eventually decide to contract 15 libraries to GLL, which also supports the many volunteer-run ‘community hubs’. These were taken on by local people who were given no other choice. In a further irony, the councillor most responsible said he was ‘impressed by the willingness of communities and volunteers to work with us to develop a network of community hubs’…

Meanwhile the first JR judgement2 remains a breakthrough that made many councils think again. And the point about refusing to consider alternatives remains a comparatively rare and useful finding.

1 https://www.facebook.com/groups/savelincslibraries

2 http://localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19474%3Athe-latest-on-cuts-the-lincolnshire-libraries-case&catid=59&Itemid=27

T Slogan from an old TLC campaign!

Best and worst of 2024-25

The best – campaigning works!

CHARGING FOR
SELF-SERVICE? NO…

In the spring, Save Our Libraries Essex – who, of course, fought off a mass closure plan five years ago – got wind of a plan to charge people for putting in their own reservations for books using the library website. A flurry of emails to councillors of all parties resulted in the plan being withdrawn by the Cabinet Member at a full council meeting.

The Essex rationale was the work involved in getting a book off the shelves and transporting it to where it is wanted, and also that 18% (or maybe 26%, as different figures were quoted) of all reservations were not collected. That may have had something to do with the time it takes for them to arrive – especially as the spend on new books has gone down over the years.

CHESHIRE EAST LISTENS

In the summer, Cheshire East council voted by the narrowest of margins (seven to six votes) to go ahead on a public consultation during the summer school holidays. It proposed only one option, a system of three-tiered provision with hours sharply reduced to just 11 a week at four smaller rural locations. It didn’t say what financial saving this was devised to meet.

The four included Alderley Edge, where closure was fought off only a few years ago, and Bollington. Here a newly formed Friends group got active well in advance to make sure local people could find, understand and fill in the council’s questionnaire. It had public meetings, demonstrations, a campaign in local press and social media, a petition, a website and constantly updated public and private Facebook pages, plus advice sessions at the library. 

Finally a revised proposal was agreed maintaining the status quo, albeit with the financial assistance of local town or parish councils. 

The Friends of Bollington Library also supported their town council’s parallel process – encouraging a good public presence at the town council’s meeting and publicity for the town council’s own consultation to get locals to agree the extra cost (about £2 a month).

Credit also to East Cheshire and the town councils for accepting the results of their consultations! This should always happen, but doesn’t.

RELIEF IN REDDITCH

It was only in August that we could say Redditch library was saved. We had covered extensively the bizarre story of this very busy library that brings up to 1,000 people daily to a town centre due for revival. The council was determined to demolish it to build an empty piazza, to er… increase footfall. We sent detailed evidence explaining how daft and costly this would be.

Local people consistently said no – including an emphatic 72% in the consultation by the library authority (Worcestershire county council). This was ignored.

The Labour party made saving the library a major plank in its local election campaign in May. It very comfortably won control from the Tories.

But doubts remained. ‘Information’ circulated that the huge bill for demolition could not be reversed, that any change meant Worcestershire would not be able to maintain the service, and that substantial town development funding would be lost. All this was found to be untrue. So Redditch can continue to enjoy the second busiest library in the county. Congratulations to the Hands Off Redditch Library campaign!

HENDON HUB HALTED!

Another long-running story we covered in depth – Barnet council’s ‘Hendon Hub’. This massive ‘development’ would have swamped the borough’s historic centre, including the iconic listed library where children’s services and storytelling were pioneered.

Save Hendon was rapidly formed, and mounted an impressive campaign. This included (as usual) getting out proper information via leaflets, a website, social media, demonstrations, lobbying – plus selling T-shirts to raise funds, getting in expertise on planning law, starting a judicial review and approaching the United Nations!

Again, public opposition was massive – and ignored. Again, this certainly helped Labour win Barnet from the Tories in May. Again, there followed a worryingly long pause.

But December saw the campaigners finally get the answer they wanted. Barnet council has received planning approval for the Hub – but this is a legal formality. The council has decided to ‘halt the scheme indefinitely’.

The worst of 2024 – and 2025

Against huge competition, here’s our pick...

2024 – CROYDON

We have covered this long, long story for years and often sent evidence – including to the DCMS, which did not help at all. Briefly, residents have always strongly favoured keeping all branches open, in hopes that better times would enable them to be built up again.

The council attempted to do this, but did it so badly that most libraries were almost impossible to use, with negligible opening hours and a preference for closing them when people were most likely to want to use them.

The council admitted this failure. Cue for yet more reports and consultation. Early on, the council decided that closing four branches was now the way to go. People made it very clear that this was unpopular – even among those whose own libraries were to be kept and allegedly improved.

The council countered by promising an extraordinary array of ‘mitigations’ around the doomed libraries. These included little outposts in ‘community’ venues it didn’t identify, and outreach visits by staff all over the place. It was totally vague and unrealistic. If any of this had been put in place, the cost would have outweighed any saving from closures.

The outcome was the worst possible. Four libraries suddenly closed in November – with no mitigations at all for local users left in the lurch. The DCMS asked us to explain, in detail, why this would be a bad thing.

The unfortunate staff started scrabbling about to find alternative venues for toddler groups, reading groups etc. Nothing had been done to plan in advance. Nobody knew what was going on. We heard from a disabled carer who needed the PCs for day-to-day needs such as shopping.

The council has offered the four buildings to – well, anyone willing to take them on, paying full running costs. They will definitely be kept in community use, the council promises. Really?

T Sanderstead library – ‘new future’.

T Woodston library.

T One campaigner did track down a replacement in a church hall. Nobody else did.

WATCHLIST

Scary times… Just some of the library plans – none of them attractive – due to reach a final or almost-final stage early in 2025.

PEMBROKESHIRE

In ‘a long list of proposals for budget savings’, out for consultation, there are four options for library savings. Unusually, each gives consultees an estimate of the possible saving, and what it would do to the service. For each, there’s a choice of accepting the option or increasing council tax to prevent it. They range from a 20% cut from ‘reduced staff, relocation, and reducing the size and opening hours of libraries. Fewer books’ to a whopping 60% cut ‘via re-organisation of the library service resulting in the closure of some libraries. Reduced access to services for those unable to use a different library’.

Consultation closed 5 January 2025

HARINGEY

Local campaigners have made a difference, with some evidence from us – first by encouraging such a huge response to initial budget proposals (by far the largest response on any topic) that the council had to think again. Then by suggesting alternative savings (completely ignored) and detailed work on watered-down proposals that made little sense. They have been duly improved a bit, but the council remains committed to reducing services (though at least not closing branches). It is consulting yet again, and also promises to work with Friends properly this time, on a whole new plan. Does it really understand what co-production is?

Consultation closed 5 January.

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham’s famously awful plans started with a complicated set of options, with a preference to close 25 council-run buildings and leave just ten. Vigorous city-wide campaigning managed to reduce the proposed damage by about 40%. The latest option is still ‘28 building-based libraries funded by Birmingham, which includes a community library hub in each constituency… There is also potential for up to 34 library based buildings with the inclusion of partner led libraries’.

We have repeatedly sent evidence pointing out that it is no solution to dump library services on to miscellaneous ‘partners’. Almost nothing has ever been said about the role of trained staff anywhere.

The council is still tinkering with details such as opening hours, which as last proposed were inequitable across communities.

The revised-yet-again option ‘will be presented to Cabinet for their decision in January 2025’.

ENFIELD

We sent evidence to this London borough’s consultation on a shocker of a plan – to close EIGHT of its 16 libraries. Consultation feedback showed strongest support for what’s offered in physical buildings, and for these being nearby, preferably within walking distance. Yet a map of the proposed closures shows huge gaps, with no library for miles.

A fairly thorough Equality Impact Assessment lists very many people who will lose out. But the proposed ‘mitigations’ are wildly unrealistic.

The council will ‘finalise, approve and publish our final strategy in early 2025’.

HAVERING

Faced with a budget deficit of £32.5m, the council plans to close FOUR of its 10 libraries just to save a total £300,000. Despite local anger, 4,000 responses to its consultation, angry opposition councillors, five petitions, a 150-strong rally and a Save Our Libraries campaign, it is ploughing on. Everyone points out that such a tiny saving cannot justify such vandalism.

Cabinet decision due 5 February 2025.

PHOTOS: LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL

Social fabric

Unsurprisingly, a new report suggests that most places that saw rioting in the summer (24 out of 27) have suffered major deprivation and have ‘torn social fabric’. The exceptions were London, Bristol and Southport.

The charitable trust Power to Change used a ‘social fabric index’ produced by the Onward thinktank. This measures economic factors such as employment rates; relationships, such as rates of volunteering; levels of education; ‘civic infrastructure’, such as trust in government; and physical infrastructure, such as local assets and green spaces.

The report’s authors say: ‘The government’s communities policy must move from responding to crisis to consistency. We know community cohesion is back on the agenda for government. But cohesion is only part of the story. People need to feel empowered and feel that they are involved in the government’s national missions for growth.’

What works

Another new report, by the thinktank British Future, again headlines the summer riots. Its extensive research was funded by the Social Purpose Lab at University of the Arts London.

It puts the emphasis heavily on creativity and cultural events as the way to ‘bring diverse communities together and foster the contact across “us and them” divides which evidence shows can help develop shared norms of behaviour, trust and respect for difference’.

There is ‘a large untapped appetite’ for the arts, with 80% interested. Over half the population already take part in a creative arts activity at least once a year. Of a sample, 85% said that taking part ‘helped me to feel happy’, 67% said it helped them learn new skills and 47% said it helped them ‘meet people from different backgrounds to myself’.

Money, of course, is a problem, with too much short-term funding and competitive bidding. ‘Unlocking the social impact of the arts will need long-term investment in projects to help build trusted community relationships… this investment can provide long-term dividends for communities and wider society.’

The report’s main author said: ‘We need to look at what works and invest in it – not muddle through and hope it doesn’t happen again.’

Society-wide benefit

Finally, a hefty new report by Frontier Economics and University College London, commissioned by the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media & Sport) shows that the arts are good for health, wellbeing and even productivity.

We all know that, of course. The point is that, for the first time ever, this is expressed in the kind of language that the Treasury might take seriously – QALYs, the Green Book and so on. The benefits are ‘monetised’ – expressed in cash terms.

Over 200 pages analyse all kinds of art forms and people, from choirs to museums, from self-esteem in children to dementia prevention in adults. And yes, libraries are at least mentioned.

A typical overall finding is that over 8 million adults aged 30-49 ‘engage with culture and heritage’ in a fairly frequent and sustained fashion. This pays back £992 per person per year – a total ‘society-wide benefit’ of £8 billion per year.

The report says: ‘Similar to the stock of natural assets or the stock of human knowledge, culture and heritage assets have impacts beyond those measured in the current annual GDP. These assets support the creation of future wealth by supporting a healthier, happier and more productive population.’

The foreword stresses: ‘Understanding the monetary value of the health and wellbeing impacts of culture and heritage enhances government’s ability to make informed decisions about resource allocation across all parts of the public realm.

‘The findings from this study can also help government to develop policies that integrate public health, education and the development of local communities.’

So there!

New minister, new report!

Libraries matter to people. They provide inspiration, education, entertainment and a safe haven for many thousands every week. In addition to their core function of providing books to lend or consult, they provide digital services, audio recordings, and information that can be vital to building a local business as well as bringing people together across communities.

Despite the value and benefit of public libraries for users, the library sector has faced several long-term challenges and the context for library engagement and delivery has changed significantly.

Recent challenges include the impact of government-driven austerity leading to cuts to local authority budgets; the Covid-19 pandemic which drastically affected people’s engagement with and use of libraries; and the increasingly digital world.

We cannot shy away from those challenges; the amount councils are spending on public libraries in England fell by almost half in real terms between 2009–10 and 2022–23.

Barriers

DCMS has a statutory responsibility to superintend and to promote the improvement of local government’s provision of public library services in England. The Culture Secretary is responsible for ensuring that library authorities deliver a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service for their communities.

DCMS works closely with sector stakeholders to achieve this, as well as to advocate for public libraries across government.

As part of that work, the government is publishing DCMS-commissioned research by Ipsos on barriers to library usage by the general public.

The research explored the barriers to and enablers of library usage through a number of focus groups and sets out potential policy interventions that could be deployed by local or national government to promote library usage. A copy of the research will be placed in the libraries of both Houses.

This research has identified a number of ways public libraries could tackle these challenges and encourage more engagement from the public including:

F raising awareness of the range of services public libraries offer, particularly digital services;

F addressing practical barriers to engagement with public services such as opening hours and parking facilities;

F clarification of the types of spaces available for all demographics and;

F harnessing the appeal of public libraries as spaces that enable and encourage community cohesion.

We are sharing the findings to ensure library services across England can actively consider how they might act on the results.

DCMS is commissioning further research to test the findings and insights from phase 1 at scale, to inform policy design and implementation. I will also be meeting with library sector organisations and leaders to discuss the challenges in the sector, reflect on priority policy areas and consider how best we can support the sector.

T Sir Chris Bryant

“It was nice to hear about my nan’s positive views. I feel the library does not play the same role in people’s lives in the present day. I’m not sure whether this is because of things moving online, or a lack of awareness of library services…”

What the report says...

This was qualitative research*. It dealt with a small number of people – not representative of the whole population – and explored perceptions and feelings.

The result is very much a mixture. But it has plenty of thought-provoking nuggets and ideas. And often, the overall findings are all too familiar…

There are some new bits, such as a lingering Post-Covid squeamishness about going anywhere public. And years of massive budget cuts have affected both attractiveness and convenience – shabby premises, reduced opening hours, cost of travel and parking as local walk-to branches disappear.

But at all stages of the research – both before and after people were fully informed about what libraries are up to these days – participants felt overwhelmingly positive about libraries.

However, it’s as obvious as ever that many people just don’t know what libraries offer. And, unless a researcher pays them to get information, they are not likely to find out.

Once they knew, many participants were surprised to see how ‘modern’ libraries are. Most were delighted (and surprised) at the diversity of activities on offer. They valued libraries’ growing role as meeting centres for communities, and as a general community resource. Their value for children was very clearly understood (tweens and teens, not so much).

Welcoming, knowledgeable staff were seen as a great asset.

One very interesting finding: many people were pleased with their new knowledge and keen to pass it on – to other people (mostly those with low income or other problems). Fewer felt the library was relevant to themselves.

This certainly needs further research. It’s impossible to think of a personal interest that can’t be served via the library – a book, a website or online reference work, or just over-the-counter signposting to sources of information or local contacts… That’s where expert staff come in – if they are not worked to a frazzle just keeping the doors open.

Time is more of a pressure than ever. Some would rather buy books online and not have to worry about returning them. Clearly these are people who don’t read many books – or don’t have children! And many people (still) have no idea about what’s available from libraries online.

Some people felt that many library services are available elsewhere. This may or may not be accurate. If their knowledge of the library offer was out of date, the same might apply to their knowledge of alternatives. Do they know what has happened to adult education? Do they think there are still lots of local law centres? Have they tried to get an appointment lately with the over-stretched Citizens Advice Bureau? And so on.

Some worry that, with so much provided beyond books, libraries may be over-stretched. That certainly is a topical issue, often argued about in library (and library user) circles…

But there was a pretty clear consensus that libraries really are special, in a number of ways.

The report sums it up thus: ‘Participants spoke of the need to create a new narrative around a vibrant and dynamic library and its services, making clear how relevant it is to modern day life.

‘They suggested that building awareness of the range of services/activities, including the online offer, could help challenge dated perceptions of the library.

‘There also was a suggestion for targeting specific groups in society, with relevant benefits (eg, study spaces for students, careers advice to those leaving education, or children’s activities for young families).’

When participants were asked for practical ideas to increase library usage, they had a lot. Many were very, very basic. That’s a wake-up call for libraries. And some ideas are very much the territory of Friends groups…

* Read the full report – Turning the page: understanding the barriers to library use and how to encourage engagement: https://t.co/BoW9RMP1ox

“It kind of motivates you to get out the house and, you know, have a different kind of experience in a different kind of environment, especially with such lovely staff and so many books that you might not be able to find online. I think it’s such a great experience.”

“I don’t want to pay £8 for parking to go look at some books.”

“The [local library] we’ve got has not been modernised since my boys were little. So it doesn’t entice me in. Maybe if it was modern…”

“I was amazed with how much the library hub has to offer as in my mind it was just a library where you can get books etc from.”

“I think if you have slightly more of a disposable income you can get books quite cheap on Amazon and they can be there the following day and then you don’t have the worry of getting it back [to the library].”

Barriers to engagement

Earlier this year Ipsos UK carried out research for the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media & Sport) to understand the barriers to public library use in England, and help identify factors that could support increased engagement. 

With data showing that public library use in England has declined over recent years, we spoke to people who had not used one in the last 12 months.

We asked people to share their thoughts on libraries and what influences their behaviour around libraries. The research revealed a variety of factors that shape engagement, and a range of ways in which engagement could be encouraged. Below we outline three key take-aways.

1. There is limited awareness of what libraries offer

A key barrier to library use was a lack of awareness of the full range of services and activities offered, particularly those beyond the core physical library offer. When provided with information about the broader library offer, people were surprised how diverse it is.

They felt that libraries are becoming more modern, offering a wider range of services to engage different people, reflecting changes in technology and becoming more of a community space. 

This suggests that raising awareness (both on and offline) of the breadth of the library offer and giving people a reason to visit will be central to encouraging library use. 

2. Convenience and comfort are important

People told us they did not have time to use library services, sharing concerns that opening hours clashed with work or childcare. Some were also worried about the availability and cost of parking. Participants with a disability or health condition also had queries regarding the accessibility of the library space.

Participants talked about previous library experiences. Negative experiences had left people feeling that libraries were ‘dated’, or either ‘noisy’ or ‘too quiet’ depending on their preferences. These experiences left people feeling unsure whether the library was a space they would personally use. Positive experiences often involved staff who were friendly and shared extensive literary knowledge. 

Those who visited a local library reflected on how this challenged their perception. They were often pleasantly surprised by the look and feel of their local libraries, finding them ‘bright’ and ‘modern’.

Considering key factors that make library engagement convenient and welcoming will be important. This could include reviewing or making clear opening times, the online offer, parking facilities, accessibility and the types of spaces available in libraries.

3. Whilst considered an important community resource, libraries are not always personally appealing

Participants saw the value of libraries for the local community. This was reinforced as they learned more about the library offering. However, the services people associated with libraries did not always hold personal appeal. This was influenced by whether a service offer at a local library chimed with an area of personal interest.

The free or low-cost nature of library services was considered attractive, but participants reflected that many of these (or similar) services could be conveniently accessed elsewhere. They would need a specific reason to access these services at the library.

The research suggests that building library appeal could involve the promotion of services, targeting these to specific groups who are likely to benefit and making clear how or why they are convenient for the user. 

We would like to thank participants for sharing their library views with us. We hope these findings can help inform future library strategies. 

“I think they’re very appealing. I mean, if I had grandchildren, well hopefully one day, I would certainly be taking them to the library. Absolutely, 100%.”

Ideas from the report

Participants were asked how best to encourage library use. Lack of awareness was considered a key barrier. They suggested advertising both online and offline, highlighting the benefits. They also felt there was an opportunity to challenge dated perceptions, and to consider targeting groups likely to benefit.

ONLINE

“The first thing I would do is sort the website out! It is terrible. The front page, which is tied in with the borough council, is boring… It totally undersells the great services it offers.”

“It wasn’t an attractive website. It struck me as ‘this is pure information’… I think they could’ve jazzed it up and made it much more appealing.”

“The library Facebook page was a lot more vibrant, engaging and informative.”

“Looking at the website I found that the library offers a lot more services than I thought and would not have realised unless looked into or told about. It has under-fives interactive story time, which I would be interested in for my son.”

Participants suggested both social media and library-specific website content, but had limited awareness of the current existence of these.

Those aged 25+ favoured Facebook (Facebook groups relate to the local area and would be a good fit). Younger age groups were likely to suggest TikTok or Instagram. Advertising via social media was considered a way for libraries to ‘move with the times’.

Participants, particularly those aged 45+ and those who did not frequently use social media, felt the library services could be amplified via a dedicated section on their local council webpage.

There were mixed experiences of the library online presence. Where navigation was simple, participants had been able to directly access a library webpage via an internet search, or easily navigate to the page from a council website.

Webpages had information about library locations and opening hours. However, finding detailed information about what was on offer at the library was more challenging.

The look and feel of library webpages also needed improvement. Participants often felt that these lacked dynamic content that would encourage or inspire use of services.

Where participants came across Facebook pages for their local library, they felt these were more engaging and informative.

OFFLINE

“The information was easy to find with just a Google search, although I’m not sure how easy it would be without internet access. I don’t see information like this advertised anywhere I go.”

“[Receiving a leaflet] through the door would be the greatest thing, with a list of what they actually do.”

“There’s nothing like personal service – to feel the book in your hands, to speak to a librarian who has depth of knowledge when it comes to books and history about [the] library.”

“It was eye-catching to see a range of posters and activities held by the library. When I spoke to the lady it was so lovely to discover they have real life authors that come in and read their books, to the members of public. I thought that was so amazing, to actually get chance to meet the person behind the amazing stories we read.”

Physical advertisements could take the form of posters, leaflets and flyers, delivered to people’s homes through the post or placed in high footfall areas like supermarkets, GP surgeries, bus stations, parks and schools.

This was likely to be particularly effective where the organisation signposting was linked to the type of service/activity being promoted; eg, GPs signposting to health and wellbeing services; job centres signposting to careers advice and support.

Word of mouth from trusted and respected individuals in the community, such as doctors and teachers, was suggested. Linked to this, there should be more joined up activity with schools, both through the provision of information via schools and school visits to the local library.

A good way to promote library services would be for people to share positive experiences of their own visits.

Participants noted the importance of clear information within libraries themselves. They were impressed by the information provided via noticeboards and staff when they visited.

The noticeboard prompted them to speak to staff, who were able to provide further information. Staff played an important role. Generally, the information on the noticeboards was easily understood.

UPDATING

“I just expected it to be a library with books and stuff. To be honest with you it came as a bit of a surprise because it’s a community hub with literally everything under one roof.”

“As soon as the doors open[ed] I felt so overwhelmed. It just hit me straight away how colourful it looked compared to my childhood days, so welcoming.”

“I’ve not found anything that I do need that I can only get in the library and not online.”

“I just don’t feel like going to the library is something that our generation does. (Focus group participant, aged 18-24)”

“I think children wouldn’t brag about things like reading challenges with their friends, like how we used to. (Focus group participant, aged 45-59)”

Participants felt that challenging dated perceptions of the library should be a key focus. In particular, they suggested drawing attention to some of the perceived ‘newer’ services offered, to help depart from the ‘dull’ and ‘bookish’ image that is traditionally associated with libraries.

Building awareness of a range of services could help remind those who had fallen out of the habit of using libraries, and generate an understanding of the library as a place that could offer benefits beyond those associated with more traditional views. Making clear the online offer would also help portray the library as a modern service.

Promotion will need to make clear the benefit of accessing services/activities that could be accessed elsewhere, and mitigate concerns about practical barriers.

There were specific groups who could be targeted, eg, study spaces for students, careers advice for those leaving education, children’s services/activities for families.

T Photos of noticeboards showing the range of library services at the local library, taken by online journal participants.

T Photos showing ‘modern’ and ‘bright’ spaces at their local library, taken by online journal participants.

The local funding jungle

Local councils are the biggest public funder of culture. They spend over £1bn a year on a range of local services, including libraries, museums and galleries, theatres, heritage sites and archives. This figure rises to £2.6bn when sports, leisure, parks and green spaces are included.

But this core funding has come under huge strain in recent years as a result of pressure on council budgets and rising demand for vital services like adult social care. Between 2010 and 2024 annual spend on culture and leisure services saw a real-terms annual spending fall of £2.324 billion.

National funders provide additional funding. But the funding picture is complex and the capacity of councils to bid into different pots can be varied. In addition, many of these funding streams have their own governance arrangements. These do not necessarily work with other local structures, creating a messy and inefficient landscape.

We commissioned a series of infographics to illustrate the challenges. They illustrate how stretched council resources have become as demand for services like social care take up a greater proportion of their budgets; and how a multitude of small, short-term funding pots leave officers chasing funding, rather than working towards a long-term vision agreed with their own community.

The government needs to simplify and streamline existing funding pots to ensure the limited amount goes further, and has a more lasting positive impact.

A long-term, sustainable, multi-year funding settlement would allow councils to invest in community services. National funders for culture could help to make their money go further by further developing their place-based working, and providing more co-ordinated support for local cultural strategies.

The graph below shows how the percentage of spending allocated to social care has increased over time, while the percentage allocated to culture and leisure has decreased. The total service spend has also decreased in real terms.

The infographic on page 18 shows the many different national funding pots currently needed to piece together a local cultural strategy.

In this fragmented landscape, 90% of funding sources last for three years – or less. Only 25% are likely to still exist in three years’ time. And 90% are competitive – organisations must bid competitively for them.

The infographic on page 19 shows how confused the governance landscape is, as a result of national initiatives. Local councils must navigate multiple funding schemes and partnerships, from different departments. Some jigsaw pieces overlap, indicating potential duplication or overlap between schemes.

In addition, governance structures do not always connect with local strategies. And access and opportunity are not evenly spread across the country.

Libraries could be key factor in reviving our failing high streets, says a new report* from the cross-party House of Lords Built Environment Committee.

The dominance of retail on high streets is ‘something of the past’, it says. Shopping will still be a key feature, but there is scope for restaurants and leisure activities – and for more public services, such as health centres and libraries.

The main growth is in cafés and charity shops (these get rates relief and have low staffing costs). But some councils are now ‘tentatively moving [in] public-facing services (such as surgeries and libraries)… This can both improve access to those civic functions and increase footfall to sustain local businesses.’

Also relevant is the fact that: ‘People, particularly young people, value having space to socialise and spend time without spending money on the high street.’

The report calls for more flexibility: ‘What communities want, and what can be sustained on the high street, is constantly evolving. Local authorities, communities and businesses need to work together to shape high streets that are reflective of local conditions, adaptable and resilient.’

The previous government’s stabs at improving high streets ‘were not well co-ordinated’, says the committee. It adds to the growing chorus calling for an end to the policy of providing ill-assorted pots of central funding that have to be competed for.

This ‘has become expensive and wasteful’ and should be replaced by ‘a transparent system of funding distribution that commands greater confidence’.

The report makes other commonsense proposals, including more toilets, better lighting, better public transport and parking, local markets and mixed day-and-evening use (including residential) to create busy streets that feel safe.

* High Streets: life beyond retail?
https://t.co/7X3jms4XLr

PETER RICHARDSON

We were very sad to hear of the death of Peter Richardson in September. Peter was a longstanding TLC supporter and at one time trustee.

With his wife Pat he was a notable campaigner for Lewisham libraries. They were particularly active in trying to stop the handover of several to a variety of ‘social enterprises’ some years ago (not an unqualified success…).

They fought valiantly to keep Manor House Library (their local) in council control. When that, too, was handed over they continued to support the library service, argue for its improvement, question the council and constantly monitor its performance.

For instance, they discovered one ‘enterprise’ was trying to raise a mortgage on the building – which belonged to the council. The council had no idea.

They were also the backbone of the umbrella group Libraries for Life for Londoners, set up to promote libraries as a London-wide resource and support local campaigns. This achieved a lot – meetings, conferences, lobbying, a huge website – but did not survive Covid.

Trustee Bob Goodrick writes: ‘Peter always thought before he spoke, but, like most Yorkshiremen, he missed nothing and was always worth listening to.’

Peter’s funeral was well attended, and shared stories of his work for libraries and on land, and his career as a seafarer.

Libraries – our creative backbone

Public libraries play a crucial role in supporting and widening access to the creative industries, our new briefing* reveals.

They do this not only by providing free access to literature, information and learning, but by staging exhibitions and performances, commissioning artwork and providing opportunities to learn new creative skills and techniques.

The briefing brings together seven case studies from across the library network. It argues that libraries strengthen the whole creative economy by brokering local cultural partnerships, supporting artists and creative businesses, and providing free access to industry-standard software and technology.

This role has gone largely unrecognised by creative leaders and policy-makers. We call on the government to include public libraries within its Creating Growth strategy, and for councils to make library services integral to local cultural strategies.

Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, says: ‘For many of us, a childhood visit to our local library is our first experience of the creative industries. Even in areas with lower levels of cultural activity, libraries deliver first class creative experiences for their communities – day in, day out.

‘Our briefing demonstrates that the public library network is the backbone of the creative economy.

‘Across the country library services deliver an incredible range of work that supports and grows the creative industries, often in partnership with industry professionals and the local cultural sector.

‘That could be helping artists to develop their audiences, giving young people free access to industry standard software or supporting creative businesses to get off the ground. This contribution must be recognised and resourced properly, by government and creative leaders.

‘As the new government puts into place its plans for a “decade of renewal and growth” in the creative industries, we urge it not to sideline public libraries.’

Luke Burton, Director, Libraries at ACE (Arts Council England) says: ‘As the development agency for libraries, we know it’s essential to highlight that libraries are creative and cultural institutions in and of themselves.

‘As libraries are managed differently by councils across the country, it can be more challenging for some to highlight their cultural role. This resource will be a great help to them.

‘It’s important to acknowledge that libraries are not simply venues for such activity but that they also co-create content, lower barriers to access and allow communities to engage with creativity that reflects them and their life experiences, right on their doorstep.’

The DCMS (Department for Culture, Media & Sport) says: ‘Libraries bring experiences and events to people who might not otherwise seek them out. They act as a platform from which other cultural and creative organisations can deliver events and interactions.’

*https://www.librariesconnected.org.uk/resources

T summer s’cool

T Wakefield’s Our Year

REACH AND ACCESS

Taken together, the UK’s 4,000 public libraries have the biggest reach of any creative or cultural institution in the country.

Libraries have a unique place in our communities: free, safe, universal spaces, often in prominent locations, with strong links to local civic, educational and cultural organisations.

ARTIST AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Almost every library service offers some form of specialist support to entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs, primarily through the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Network.

Libraries also frequently partner with new and growing creative businesses, or artists-in-residence, giving them access to live audiences, community engagement opportunities and reduced cost studio or rehearsal space.

TECHNOLOGY

Libraries offer access to market-leading technology, software and equipment that would otherwise be inaccessible or prohibitively expensive. Crucially, these are provided alongside technical support, tuition and training.

PARTNERSHIPS

Libraries act as cultural catalysts, working with a network of partners and facilitators to deliver artistic and cultural experiences.

They have well established partnerships with local schools, universities, businesses, community groups and arts venues, enabling them to stage innovative cultural projects within their communities.

T Merton Arts Space

Culture gets local, thanks to Friends

The Horbury Tapestry, painted in stitches, was created to celebrate the centenary of Horbury Library. The work was led by one of the Friends of Horbury Library, Janet Taylor, who is a textile designer, BA(Hons). There are over 228 pieces of embroidery on the 8 ft tall panel. Each one has been stitched with great care and expertise, and each one is a gem.

The tapestry, due to its fragility, cannot be taken out of its glass cover. The first part of the project saw the creation of a website. Visitors to https://horburytapestry.co.uk can see the whole tapestry and zoom in on individual pieces.

It was digitised by Wakefield based One to One Development Trust at ultra-high resolution, enabling it to be viewed on any device, and making an interactive overlay that shows each individual embroidery work in detail. You can almost feel the textures of the different materials.

Using hot spots, you can see each of the 228 works of art in even more detail, together with the name of the individual artist, and learn about what is portrayed. Viewers can also search on the basis of subject, stitcher and technique.

As one person said at the launch: ‘All my family can now see the beautiful pieces my mother stitched 20 years ago.’

Horbury in 2024

There is an interesting section on the making of the tapestry, including a video filmed in 2005, presented by Janet Taylor, the designer behind the original project. The website, the design of which far exceeded our expectations, was created and is hosted by One to One.

This project was supported with a Culture Grant by Wakefield Council as part of Our Year - Wakefield District 2024, along with generous in-kind support from One to One.

Participation in other local events during the project resulted in the preparation of larger images of individual pieces of tapestry as part of PowerPoint presentations.

The second part of the project, funded by local donors, looked to create an image of Horbury in 2024. People were invited to contribute photographs of Horbury in the summer holiday period showing aspects of Horbury that appealed to them. These were then reproduced on a photo banner, put together by a local company, Visual Impact, which is displayed next to the original stitched tapestry.

An image of the photo banner has been added to the website, https://horburytapestry.co.uk/then-and-now-project, along with the names of the photographers and information about the subjects.

The response to the banner has been very gratifying. Overheard conversations indicate that it has provoked reflections at the positive changes since 2004 and pride in what local people are doing.

Comments from further afield are typified by a Lincolnshire visitor to the website: ‘What a wonderful expression of community.’ The banner was unveiled in the library on Horbury Heritage Day in September, giving visitors an opportunity to also view the exhibition in the Horbury People’s Museum.

Libraries – first step to culture

The Library Campaign believes strongly that the arts – from literature to fine arts, the performance arts to digital media – are essential to wellbeing. In an age of austerity and increasing social division, they are more vital than ever.

We also believe that both enjoyment and active participation can be available to everyone regardless of age, income, disability or background.

The keys are wide choice and easy, everyday access.

Public libraries are not just a peripheral addition to arts provision (possibly as extra venues). On the contrary – they are a massive resource, already at work at local grassroots level, nationwide.

Major contributor

Libraries are the bedrock of the nation’s entire culture strategy. Investment in the support they badly need would be a major contributor to the nation’s cultural revival. Probably the largest single contributor.

As long ago as 2017 Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, indicated their special value in a blogpost: ‘The arts and cultural sector can perhaps learn from the way libraries interact with their local communities.

‘Again and again, the public tells us that they see libraries as trusted spaces, that they are welcoming to everyone and offer a safe, creative environment where knowledge is respected. People don’t feel intimidated to enter them. As a result, libraries can reach many different audiences …’

It is no exaggeration to say that libraries underpin all other endeavours.

In particular:

1 They foster the basic tools required for access to, and appreciation of, the arts – literacy, emotional literacy, digital literacy, information literacy – as well as more subtle enablers such as self-esteem and self-confidence, health, social cohesion, a sense of belonging, a sense of place, acquisition of skills, the knowledge required for the exercise of citizenship, the feeling one can have influence in one’s locality, even the ability to make a decent living or launch a business or arts project.

2 Despite devastating cuts, they remain far more widely provided than any other cultural resource. Many areas have no municipal theatre, museum or art gallery. They all have libraries. In many areas libraries are, quite simply, the sole local cultural resource.

Local libraries therefore function as an irreplaceable ‘first step’ to every other aspect of the arts. It might be simply finding out what’s on locally (a major issue for many people). It might be taking part in an activity based on reading or crafts. It might be borrowing play-sets or music for a local group. It might be being guided to expensive online arts reference resources, or digitised arts and museum collections.

The most accessible

Access is free of charge, which is far less likely to be true of other culture facilities. This is of central importance.

Children, students, people on low incomes, older people, people with poor English and many other disadvantaged groups can, at the very least, sample a wide choice of books to help them discover what interests them.

They can read or study in peace, meet others, join in group activities if they wish, and experience a civilised space that belongs to them and does not demand any payment from them.

Properly funded and staffed libraries, within a national network, enable simple one-step access from the smallest library to a wealth of resources, both digital and physical. No other neighbourhood facility can possibly provide all this.

Libraries are the most accessible cultural venue for all population groups, and are seen by the public to be so.

The popularity of libraries among families also enables the appreciation of a full cultural offer at a formative stage for young children. This is more important than ever, with the narrowing of the school curriculum.

On this basic provision has been built a rich layer of added activity that is ‘cultural’ in the very widest sense.

Enormous range of activities

Obviously libraries give free access to reading (and films). A wide choice of free material enables people to experiment, go beyond the mass market offer, find things they might not have expected to like, ideas that challenge.

This is underpinned by, for instance, pre-literacy sessions for small children and book clubs catering for all ages and abilities (from children and teens to people with mental health or other disabilities), and all kinds of reading (from poetry to manga, politics to sci-fi).

Reading for pleasure has been proven time and again to confer major benefits in terms of educational attainment, empathy, mental health, etc. Talking about reading is a simple step into human connection and self-expression. It comes very high on the list of popular means for cultural participation.

Reading-based activities are just the beginning. The ACE-funded report ‘Libraries welcome everyone’ spells out the enormous range of activities available in libraries nationwide. These arise quite naturally out of libraries’ basic remit to educate and entertain, and to be available to all. They are successful in attracting a diverse range of people and bringing them together.

The report also notes that ‘so much of this work is seen to be “everyday” (ie, not something special) that it often passes unrecognised’.

This is a point that needs emphasising.

Also worth emphasising again is the ‘first step’ culture opportunities these activities offer. TS Eliot defined culture widely, and summarised it as ‘simply that which makes life worth living’.

Diversity and inter-action

All library activities enable people to meet and communicate. There is a keen appetite in the sector, and among the public, to encourage diversity and inter-action between different cultural groups.

Most also have an obvious creative element – drawing, writing, movement, craft work, etc. These can be built on, by developing and publishing or exhibiting the results.

Many people see ‘art’ mainly as classical music, ballet and opera – things that are ‘not for them’.The kind of simple, very local, informal activities offered by libraries are a first step for many people intimidated by the idea of ‘art’ or the thought of going into premises such as theatres or museums.

It has to be noted, of course, that many people currently see libraries as ‘not for them’. But libraries are in a far better position than any other venues to counter such prejudices: a national campaign can publicise attractions that can then be found at local level by anyone, anywhere.

(This unique attribute has been badly damaged by the proliferation of volunteer libraries, which cannot be guaranteed to make any nationally consistent offer, but it has not been completely destroyed.)

Above the ‘everyday’ level, many library services still manage to run author visits, events and entire literature festivals.

Creative opportunities

The library also can – and does – serve as a meeting space and as a default venue for arts and crafts activities, art exhibitions (by professional artists and local clubs) and performances of all kinds (ditto). Facilities for video and music creation, 3D printing and digital arts are a growing area.

A number of libraries have developed an outstanding role as venues for music performances. Festivals small and large – often multi-ethnic and multi-media – are run by library services or individual libraries, sometimes with professional performers, sometimes with considerable input from volunteers and from local cultural groups.

Local-level activities do much to counter the current imbalance in provision between London/the south and the regions. They also make it much easier to incorporate local people’s ideas and contributions into what is offered. This is very much wanted by the public.

All these activities foster opportunities for people to do their own creative work and perform or show it, at the library or more widely. This could be as simple as reading aloud in a group, or placing something you have created in a library exhibition or craft fair.

It could be writing or performing, depending on what the library offers. As well as providing personal fulfilment and self-confidence, these outlets also contribute to the diversity of the local arts scene and can stimulate insights among other participants.

Libraries are thus established as the nation’s single key arts resource – simply by doing what we all know they do. This needs to be properly acknowledged.

This is not a power grab for the library sector. It is a concept that can offer a great many opportunities to the cultural sector in general.

Civilised society

We do not need to spell out the extent of the recent destruction within the public library service. Hundreds of libraries have closed, or been handed to volunteers to run as best they can. The national network function has been badly damaged.

Where they survive, more and more libraries are having to cut back on any activity beyond an irreducible core. Importantly, the loss of expert staff has severely diminished libraries’ power to help people find the information they need, or to run or host arts activities of any kind.

We need to address the current emergency in public libraries – their everyday funding and functioning. This has not, so far, been the case.

We need more funding for library work in general – and a clearly articulated message that cuts to library services are endangering the whole basis of a civilised society.

To discount (and oversee further reduction in) public libraries’ considerable role in the arts is to deny access to millions of people who will have no alternative resource. It is also to deny many exciting outlets, development opportunities and new audiences to arts bodies.

We recognise that libraries’ statutory status may make it a little awkward to find ways to fund basic functions. Nevertheless, the current unprecedented situation means it is no longer possible to avoid grasping this nettle.

Ballet pioneers

A unique partnership between Libraries Connected and creative agency Oxygen Arts, Into the Light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet, will tour 25 libraries. It started in Stockport and Redbridge in October and continues until November 2025. It is based on research by Dr Sandie Bourne, a dancer, choreographer and academic.

Funded by a £245,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the exhibition uses archive photography, film, newspaper articles and posters, plus new video and audio interviews, to trace black British ballet from the 1940s. A related Windrush-themed ballet, Island Movements, is just completing its own tour of 40 libraries.

A VR version of the exhibition, including a motion capture dance performance, will allow it to be taken out on mobile libraries and to more remote library locations.

Impact

Marsha Lowe of Oxygen Arts says: ‘[We are] a tiny social enterprise, created to share diverse stories. Alone, we could not have had a fraction of the impact that working with public libraries has brought to the project.

‘Library spaces extend across the country. Their staff understand the importance of telling these types of stories and immediately grasp the impact these could have on their communities.

‘They value the arts as an end in itself. Their local knowledge and ability to attract audiences for all types of activities are essential for a small organisation like ours with such limited resources.’

Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, says: ‘Public libraries, with their diverse audience base and commitment to democratising culture, are the perfect venue for this groundbreaking exhibition.

‘There has never been a better time to celebrate the achievements of these black British pioneers. It’s hugely exciting to see their stories brought to life in this way.’

Highlights include an interview with a member of Europe’s first black dance company Les Ballets Nègres, formed by two Jamaicans in 1946. Other dancers featured include Brenda Garratt-Glassman, the first black British student at the Royal Ballet Upper School, and Darren Panton, the first black British student at the Royal Ballet boarding school.

In the 1970s, students like them were told by UK institutions that they would not be hired because they were black. They, and almost every other black dancer, were forced to seek work abroad, most notably at Dance Theatre of Harlem.

It was not until the mid-1980s that black dancers began to find success in established British companies. But progress remained slow. This led to schemes such as The Royal Ballet’s Chance to Dance and Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Dance Track, launched in 1991 and 1997 respectively, to help widen access to ballet training. The exhibition features Shevelle Dynott, the first dancer from Chance to Dance to have a career in ballet at English National Ballet.

Despite these efforts, Oxygen Arts estimates that less than 3% of dancers in the three largest companies have a black British background. Even today, some senior ballet professionals continue to defend all-white corps, blackface and offensive depictions in pieces such as Petrushka and La Bayadère.

Pride

An activity programme is a vital part of the project, closely aligned with Libraries Connected’s Universal Culture & Creativity Offer. There will be dance, writing and photography workshops, talks, panel events and a virtual exhibition by Birmingham Open Media.

Stuart McLeod, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: ‘This project will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep. Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities and boosting local economies.’

The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Arts Council England, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities’ Windrush Day Fund and the Black Funding Network. It is delivered in partnership with English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Royal Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Central School of Ballet and Kidbrooke Community Hub.

T Christina Johnson and Ronald Perry of The Dance Theatre of Harlem ©Angela Taylor

T Darren Panton

T Bryony Robins and Jonathan Morton
(Photo: Royal Cornwall Museum)

New Laureate, new campaign

The new Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2024–2026) is Frank Cottrell-Boyce. His flagship project will be a Reading Rights campaign.

He is a multi award-winning children’s author and screenwriter. Millions, his debut children’s novel, won the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2004.  

His books have been shortlisted for a multitude of prizes, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Whitbread Children’s Fiction Award, The Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. 

Frank is also a highly successful screenwriter. He has written for Dr Who, and his script for Michael Morpurgo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom won a British Animation Award. Along with Danny Boyle, he devised the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.

Frank has been the judge for the 500 Words competition and the BBC’s One Show As You Write It competition. He is a lifelong champion of children’s books. In 2023 he launched a successful podcast with Nadia Shireen, The Island of Brilliant!, celebrating writing and illustration for children of all ages. 

Frank now pledges to ‘amplify the national conversation’ about the role books and reading for pleasure play in transforming children’s lives. The campaign will call for national provision so that every child – from their earliest years – has access to books and reading. 

He will visit widely to gather evidence and powerful stories to present at a national summit. This will bring together expert voices in the political, educational, literary and early years sectors.

He says: ‘My tenure as Waterstones Children’s Laureate will have happiness at its heart, but it will be about urgency. It will be about addressing invisible privilege and inequality.’

National reading emergency

BookTrust’s latest family survey* has found that while 33% of seven-year-olds say they ‘love’ reading, this drops to 29% at age 10 and further declines to just a quarter (25%) by age 11.

BookTrust also surveyed almost 3,000 primary school teachers in England. It found that teachers’ concern about reading enjoyment among their pupils increases as they progress through primary school.

Around 48% of Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 teachers express concern. This rises to 63% of Key Stage 2 teachers.

BookTrust research shows that children who enjoy reading tend to read by choice more often, for longer, and become more skilled readers.

Focusing solely on functional literacy risks depriving children of the wider benefits of reading. These include improved speech and language skills, higher academic achievement, better mental wellbeing, enhanced social skills and stronger relationships. Reading also fosters imagination, empathy and creativity.

It’s vital that strategies to promote children’s reading enjoyment are prioritised.

Given the widening attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers over the last five years, it is particularly important that they receive support to enjoy reading during school hours, helping to level the playing field.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce said: ‘For too long, childhood literacy has not been taken seriously by those in power. Families from disadvantaged backgrounds haven’t had the means or support they need to give their children the enormous invisible advantage that my parents gave me.

‘As a nation we are seeing an accelerating decline in the number of children reading for pleasure. We are also seeing an increase in childhood anxiety
– a kind of happiness recession.

‘These stats are two sides of the same coin. Are we seriously going to stand by and watch this happen? Are we going to let this magical gift, which boosts educational attainment and – more importantly – brings great happiness, become a privilege of the lucky few?

‘It’s simply not good enough – and it’s not fair – that Britain currently ranks in the bottom third of countries worldwide for childhood reading enjoyment. It stands at complete odds with our reputation for giving the world some of its best known stories and writers.’

Ruthann Hughes, Director of Research and Impact at BookTrust, said: ‘Shared reading, where an adult or an older sibling reads with a child, is crucial for fostering children’s reading enjoyment.

‘Working with families to help them share stories together at home is time well spent. It will positively impact the children’s attitude to reading.

‘It takes a whole community to make a reader.’

* https://www.booktrust.org.uk/globalassets/resources/research/primary-school-childrens-reading.pdf

And it gets worse...

Children and young people’s reading for enjoyment is at an all-time low. It is at crisis point, falling drastically (up to 9%) in the past year alone. Two in three don’t enjoy reading.

Our 2024 annual literacy survey records the worst levels in nearly 20 years. It is based on 76,131 responses from young people aged five to 18. It includes findings on reading enjoyment, frequency and motivation. It explores responses by age, gender, socio-economic background and geographical region.

This is by far the lowest level of reading enjoyment we have recorded since we began measuring this metric in 2005.

It is also the steepest year-on-year drop ever recorded, with an 8.8-percentage-point decline in reading enjoyment compared with 2023. It is part of a broad downward trend since 2016, when almost 2 in 3 children and young people said they enjoyed reading.

Reading frequency is similarly at a historic low, with only one in five (20.5%) aged eight to 18 telling us they read something daily in their free time. Again, what is particularly noticeable is the extent of the decline, a drop of 7.5 percentage points from last year – the second steepest drop on record.

Within these shocking statistics, three observations stand out. The first is the plight of boys. The gender gap in reading enjoyment nearly tripled, from a 4.8-percentage-point difference in 2023 to a 12.3-percentage-point difference in 2024, largely because of a greater drop of reading enjoyment in boys.

When it comes to reading frequency, the gender gap remained largely consistent with previous years. But with just 17.5% of boys reading daily it is by far the lowest we have recorded.

Second, analysis by age group shows that this is a particular crisis for secondary school pupils. For instance, the proportion of eight- to 11-year-olds who said they enjoyed reading in their free time dropped from 56.2% in 2023 to 51.9% in 2024 – but for 11- to 14-year-olds the drop was over twice as much: from 40.4% to 30.7%. With daily reading levels, those aged 14 to 16 saw a particularly sharp drop of 10.9 percentage points.

Third, we see a narrowing of the free school meal gap. Unfortunately, rather than a levelling up, we are witnessing a levelling down.

The drop in reading enjoyment and frequency is more pronounced for those who don’t receive free school meals.

Why is this important? When children and young people enjoy reading, they read more often, helping to build vital reading skills and bringing wider benefits for wellbeing, confidence and learning.

Failure to tackle the reading for pleasure crisis now will put children’s futures at risk.

Given the broad educational and socio-economic factors known to influence children’s enjoyment of reading, we are calling on the government to urgently form a reading taskforce and action plan with multi-sector partners. In its curriculum and assessment review, it should prioritise reading for pleasure alongside the skills that are vital to develop confident, motivated readers.

So much work is already being done across all corners of society – from authors, educators, influencers and families, to schools, libraries, charities, publishers, businesses and government. But we need to work together to make reading for pleasure a national priority.

Sparking interest in science

The Reading Agency is working with public libraries in England to launch innovative activities to engage young people aged four to 18 in creative learning experiences.

This is part of Reading Sparks, a TRA programme which harnesses the creative power of reading to engage families with STEM activities (science, technology, engineering and maths) and build ‘science confidence’, in communities in deprived areas.

Library activities planned for summer 2024 included: 

F In Barnsley, seven libraries expanded their existing Lego and code clubs, with new standalone coding workshops. 

F Calderdale launched drop-in Lego clubs to engage older children (Key Stages 2 and 3), plus families from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, through coding, digital making and creativity. 

F Hull expanded its popular Lego club and maker spaces, and worked with home educators in a ‘Children’s University’ programme. 

F Oldham used its established ‘Science Saturdays’ in three libraries to integrate coding, play, robotics , and reading challenges for families.

F In Swindon, all five libraries extended their Lego clubs, and offered science-themed storytelling sessions aimed at sparking a love of reading, especially for primary-aged boys and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) schools.

F In Warwickshire, three libraries transformed their ‘Let’s Make’ STEM spaces for activities such as Lego clubs, coding for digital storytelling with robots and programmes for home-educated children.

The project is delivered by TRA and public libraries, with funding from ACE (Arts Council England) and STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council). 

As part of the pilot, libraries gave reading and STEM book and activity boxes to families particularly disadvantaged by the pandemic. They then worked with young people (aged 14–18) in different settings to develop positive, confidence-building reading and STEM activities. Library staff also worked with youth workers to design new digital and in-person reading and science activities for families with children aged four to 11. 

Thanks to continued support from STFC, Reading Sparks is now entering phase 2, where libraries will offer sessions of their own choice and design, using our resources. These so far include an ideas bank, book list, activity sheets, evaluation pack and a site for libraries to share their experiences.

Our evaluation shows that Reading Sparks builds confidence and engagement with STEM among young people and families. It also demonstrates the important role that creativity and reading play in sparking engagement with a wide range of subjects and topics. 

Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, says: ‘We are thrilled to see libraries across the country finding exciting ways to make reading and technology fun and accessible for children. These programmes demonstrate the pivotal role libraries play in nurturing curiosity and learning.’

Involving young people

Funded by ACE (Arts Council England), our Youth Engagement Network pilot phase took place from January to August 2024. The aim is to connect library services with local children and young people from marginalised groups who do not currently engage with their library.

Seven library services across England – Luton, Norfolk, Kirklees, Newham, Slough, Libraries Unlimited (Devon) and Cornwall – tested co-created approaches with a total of 56 young people aged 11–13, including some who are neurodivergent.

Phase 2 begins in January 2025, with 14 more library services. They will adopt a holistic approach, bringing in youth engagement experts such as Participation People, and encouraging libraries to work with local partners where possible.

The network will ‘listen to and represent young voices, putting them at the centre of decision-making and designing ways for them to influence national policy’. The learning from the pilot will inform all ASCEL’s future training and guidance.  

Key research findings: 

F 90% of young people felt more welcome in the library through working directly with their local library service on specific projects. 

F 100% of participants felt that their opinions, ideas and feelings were listened to, and 86% enjoyed the experience. 

F 76% said the co-created activities helped to improve their communication skills, which will support their future development in school, volunteering and work. 

F 71% gained new knowledge and skills in digital marketing, creative skills, writing and library-related knowledge. Bringing in external expertise enabled more opportunities to learn enhanced skills. 

F 71% of library staff experienced increased confidence in developing and delivering co-created projects with young people 

F 86% of library staff feel better equipped to articulate the value of co-created work in libraries as a direct result of the programme.

F Staff gained a deeper insight into the library from the perspective of a neurodiverse young person and developed confidence in working with neurodivergent and SEND-identifying young people – essential for fully accessible library services.

Young participants said:

It was a wonderful experience. I felt relaxed and calm. 

Something I didn’t know before is how fun the library is. 

Taking part improved my confidence.

I hate to say this, but I’ve really enjoyed it.

Library staff said:

The young people loved the idea of being involved in decision making, particularly around stock selection. They were interested in processes and the carbon reduction possibilities libraries offer.

Many of the young people felt the significance of a library and why they need to exist. Some had no idea just how big Central Library was and what was truly on offer for them and other members.

It was my first time co-creating, but it worked out really well and it has given me the confidence to do it again. It was great to have the training and support sessions from ASCEL to fall back on and know that we could share ideas with others around the country if needed.

Just chill ...

Like many library services, Norfolk has been facing challenges engaging teenagers. It is one of four authorities taking part in the Reading Well activation programme, funded by ACE (Arts Council England), to amplify engagement with people at risk of health inequalities.

As part of this, three Norfolk libraries (North Walsham, Norwich Millennium and Costessey) have developed innovative strategies to create welcoming, supportive spaces for young people while supporting their mental wellbeing. This has included promoting Reading Well for teens* and getting more young people through the doors.

Staff were inventive. At North Walsham, they redesigned the teen area by removing the computers and adding bean bags, trying to make it inviting and welcoming. The goal was to create a space ‘where you can just chill with your friends’.

One tactic that proved particularly effective was using the popular Heartstopper TV series and comics to create an interactive display. Reading Well leaflets were placed alongside the display so that ‘you could be looking at Heartstopper with your friends, but you could also pick up a leaflet that had other recommended reads and support helplines on it’.

You catch them...

This approach is deliberate – there may be social barriers to accessing mental wellbeing support. ‘You might not want to be hovering around a display about suicide prevention. It feels more okay to be hovering around a display that’s got lots of colourful graphic novels and positive messaging.’

Creative workshops have become another key engagement strategy. Friendship bracelet workshops, inspired by Taylor Swift, attracted teens into the library. ‘You catch them and get people in to do the fun craft. But after they were finished making a bracelet, they were just browsing the Reading Well collection, and a couple of them took some home…

‘People don’t want to talk about mental health in that way. So approaching it […] through craft, through art, through social events, through physical events, is better. All of that is also mental wellbeing, but it’s not stating it on the box.’

Another invaluable activity has been school visits, issuing library cards and talking about the library’s offers. Organising such a trip can take months, but is another way to reach young people.

Critical gap

The results are promising. At North Walsham, the Reading Well collection now makes up about half of the teenage non-fiction circulation. ‘The numbers are small, but still, it’s half the teenage non-fiction after that display, which is better than zero or one.’

Libraries recognise they are addressing a critical gap. Young people are an age group that libraries across the country are struggling to engage. Yet they remain optimistic, recognising that with the rise of BookTok and podcasts, teens love to read.

Experience demonstrates that engaging teens requires creativity, empathy, and a willingness to meet young people where they are. By offering welcoming spaces, relevant resources and innovative outreach, libraries can become vital community resources for teenagers, offering much more than just books – support, connection, and a sense of belonging.

What is reading anyway?

Recent research from BookTrust and the National Literacy Trust shows a significant drop in children’s reading engagement and enjoyment as they progress through school.

Children may be reading less – but are they also reading differently?

Is it that conventional definitions of reading are misaligned with current practice? As new technologies and digital media reshape how we consume and interact with narrative and information, is the definition of ‘reading’ being redefined for younger generations?

We hear a lot about the dangers of screen time. But in a fast moving, digital world, reading can come in many forms. Screens can be a barrier but they also provide a valuable access point to content as demonstrated by last year’s Summer Reading Challenge. This saw 650,000 children’s e-books and audiobooks borrowed from libraries over the summer holidays.

New generation

Way back in 2009, The Reading Agency worked with Channel 4 to explore this shifting landscape. Research outcomes from the collaboration indicated that ‘the 21st century reading landscape is no longer confined to books and written text but features new communities of readers and writers whose relationship with narrative is defined by different rules of engagement’.*

Fifteen years on, this shift has accelerated as reading realigns itself with new technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented and virtual reality. The result is a new generation of readers for whom narrative is non-linear, and where the lines between creator and consumer are blurred.

Nowhere is this truer than in the realm of video games. Gaming is an important part of contemporary cultural life providing a key source of entertainment and learning, escapism and community.

Story and narrative sit at the heart of this highly creative form of visual storytelling; co-created by gamers as they make decisions affecting character, plot and place development. Finding ways to channel this creative power as part of the reading agenda could be a significant opportunity for all of us committed to building a nation of young readers.

And it’s not just children and young people who can benefit. Video games can also be an effective tool for motivating and supporting adults who struggle with reading, engaging them through real-life contexts, building confidence in understanding instruction, dialogue, and in-game text, and delivering the benefits of creating, sharing and consuming narrative.

Co-creators

Reading is no longer a solitary, linear activity confined to print.

Readers have always been creative co-creators, shaping their own version of plot and character influenced by personal experience and imagination. That’s why film adaptations of books so often disappoint – because they represent someone else’s vision. They are not the world as the reader imagined it.

New technologies have taken interactive, collaborative, and dynamic approaches to narrative creation and consumption to a new level. They open up access for those who find print daunting and even further blur the boundaries between producer and consumer.

Story making

Accessibility, relevance, choice and collaboration are all influencers of meaningful engagement in content, regardless of medium. Video games have all these characteristics in spades.

Leveraging this new immersive form of story making and story sharing could be a key tool in building reading engagement and skill for less confident, lapsed and reluctant readers.

At The Reading Agency we believe in the proven power of reading to change lives. We also believe that books are vital to the reading experience and here to stay.

But we also think that technology provides the opportunity to rethink and complement how we cultivate and support reading.

By embracing digital development, and evolving reading habits, we can unlock new creative possibilities and inspire more people to read, write, and engage with stories and information. We’re in exciting times as the future of reading unfolds before us.

Ask a child if they enjoy reading for pleasure and they may say no. Ask them if they enjoy gaming and they are likely to say yes. Bridging the two can offer new possibilities.

*The Reading Agency (2010), Gaming for reading: A feasibility study on the use of video games to engage adults with low literacy in reading for pleasure

PHOTO: National Literacy Trust