The SLA was proud to represent school libraries at the official launch of the Libraries Alliance, a new partnership bringing together libraries of all kinds to speak with a single, stronger voice.
The Alliance spans public, school, academic, health, independent and national libraries, and has been established to strengthen collaboration across the sector, improve engagement with policymakers and highlight the social, cultural and economic contribution libraries make throughout people’s lives.
The launch set out a shared vision of “libraries through life”, illustrated through short contributions from library staff and users, academics and writers. Speakers showed how libraries support people at every stage, from early learning and education, through work and research, to later life, and why access to a library matters for community, citizenship and opportunity.
The audience included senior library leaders, parliamentarians, policymakers and partners from the cultural, education and health sectors.
SLA CEO Victoria Dilly chairing a discussion between award‑winning school librarians Julie Broadbent (2025 Secondary School Librarian of the Year) and Verity Robinson (2025 Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year-winning librarian), who highlighted the importance of the school library in fostering a sense of belonging for the whole school community, and the opportunities that can be created for children and young people through partnership across the library sector.
Victoria Dilly said: “The school library isn’t just about reading – it’s about empathy, identity and belonging. Without judgement, good librarians guide young people as they encounter diverse perspectives, develop critical thinking skills, and understand the world around them.”
Julie Broadbent, Victoria Dilly and Verity Robinson at the Libraries Alliance launch
Other speakers included the Minister for Libraries, Baroness Twycross; former Cabinet Minister Lord Blunkett; Richard Ovenden OBE, Bodley’s Librarian at the University of Oxford; Louise Goswami, Chief Knowledge Officer at NHS England; and writer Jeanette Winterson CBE, who spoke about the formative role libraries play in reading lives and creative freedom.
Jeanette spoke of the vital importance of school libraries, saying: “If kids get into reading early, it will stay with them for life and that's why libraries in schools are so important. Brilliant librarians can inspire children.
“We know that those of us who have access to the power of reading – to the safe, secure and liberating space that libraries offer – can manage different outcomes, and that's really powerful.”
The launch marks a significant step in the development of the Libraries Alliance and signals a commitment to collaboration, shared evidence and constructive engagement with government on the future of libraries. Find out more about the Libraries Alliance: https://librariesalliance.org.uk/
Watch the Libraries Alliance 'Libraries Through Life' animation