Parliamentarians, library representatives and allies come together to celebrate the role of libraries in changing lives by creating opportunities.
Author John O’Farrell, British Library Chief Librarian Liz Jolly, and key library sector representatives joined politicians in a packed parliamentary Terrace Pavilion yesterday to celebrate the positive impact of libraries across society, in particular how Libraries Change Lives by Creating Opportunities.
Parliamentary host, Laurence Turner MP, told the audience: “I’m delighted to host the Libraries Change Lives Parliamentary Reception, where we have the opportunity to hear inspiring stories showcasing the vital role libraries play opening up opportunities at the heart of communities across the UK. From supporting learning at all ages, to improving digital literacy for the most vulnerable, to
equipping people with the skills they need to thrive in the modern economy, libraries are truly
engines of social mobility.
By supporting library services and professional staff, we strengthen our society and ensure
everyone has access to the information and opportunities they need.”
Best-selling author and library supporter, John O’Farrell spoke about his earliest memories of visiting the library and the role it has played in shaping his life, making him feel part of a community.
John said: “Libraries have been a big part of my life, from visiting them as a small child with a love of good stories, to using them as an established author as a place to research and write. There is something incredibly civilised and democratic about making the great literature, knowledge and education that libraries provide available to everyone irrespective of their income or background. They nurture the talent, culture and education that benefits our whole society - even for the people who might never step inside, libraries really do change lives.”
The parliamentary reception was jointly hosted by eleven library sector organisations: CILIP
the library and information association; Libraries Connected; Society of College, National and
University Libraries (SCONUL); Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians
(ASCEL); School Library Association (SLA); The Reading Agency; CILIP School Libraries
Group (SLG); CILIP Youth Libraries Group (YLG); CILIP Information Literacy Group (ILG);
CILIP Academic and Research Libraries Group (ARLG); and CILIP London. The event was
sponsored by Bibliotheca.
CILIP ran the Libraries Change Lives advocacy week in June 2024, celebrating the impact of
different types of libraries. The campaign invited all types of libraries across the UK to share
their stories of impact delivering against key policy agendas, including learning, social
mobility and opportunity. Over 190 case studies have been shared so far, demonstrating the
hugely positive influence libraries have on their communities.
At the event, CILIP’s CEO Louis Coiffait-Gunn said: “Libraries Change Lives celebrates the
enormous value of different libraries to their diverse communities of users and provides clear
evidence of their impact. Members of both Houses, sector colleagues, and library champions
have heard how the trusted provision of access to knowledge, education, and resources
creates new opportunities for everyone.
Professional library staff support digital literacy, lifelong learning, and much more -
empowering individuals to reach their potential. Investing in libraries is an investment in our
long-term future and we call on the new government to make more of this important
profession in order to serve public needs.”
During the event, three library services presented case studies of their work supporting
education, social mobility, and opportunities in their communities:
- Laura Benson from Warwickshire Library and Information Service shared their work
with reluctant readers from local primary schools to undertake a Chatterbooks session.
- Maria Reguera from Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure shared information about
the library’s Tech Time sessions that offer coding sessions with University of East
London students.
- Rachel Ridealgh from Norfolk Library and Information Service presented their work
with The Young Heritage Collective (YHC), a group of young people who meet at
Norfolk Heritage Centre to learn through creative projects about lesser-known aspects
of local history, including LGBTQ+ stories, women’s history, and folklore.
CILIP will continue to work with sector partners, parliamentarians and the government to
champion the role of libraries in delivering vital benefits to the public, including opening up
opportunities. From supporting students in schools, colleges, and universities; helping people
get online and access digital services; providing quiet spaces to study; introducing families to
books and culture; to giving prisoners a second chance – libraries and library staff change
lives for the better.
CILIP has recently launched the CILIP Connect toolkit which enables its members to engage
with political representatives at all levels of government to raise the sector’s profile and
influence.
CILIP continues to engage key politicians as they are appointed to ministerial and Select
Committee posts and launched its Public Libraries at Risk Monitor to track proposed funding
cuts to local authority library services.