What Libraries Connected does

Libraries Connected is an independent UK charity and the membership body for public library services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (registered charity number 1176482). The organisation represents 176 individual library services operating around 3,000 branches that together serve more than 61 million people. Its purpose is to support, promote and represent public libraries by convening service leaders to share experience, expertise and evidence, and by advocating on the sector's behalf to government, media and partners. The leadership team is led by Chief Executive Isobel Hunter MBE and the organisation operates from Liverpool with a stated headcount of 15 staff.

The organisation's product surface is built around membership rather than proprietary technology. Core offerings include Membership Services (annual subscription providing access to projects, discounts, funding opportunities, networks, events, training and project groups), a Member Platform web application, the Libraries Connected Awards (an annual recognition programme for library workers), and the Universal Library Offers framework that defines essential service categories (Culture and Creativity, Health and Wellbeing, Information and Digital, Reading). Supporting resources include a Knowledge Base, e-learning modules, and Facts and Figures datasets. Time-limited projects delivered with partners include the £245,500 National Lottery Heritage Fund-backed Black British Ballet exhibition touring 25 libraries, the £65,770 Arts Council England-funded ebook licensing programme, and delivery of £5 million of the £29 million DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood Fund. There is no proprietary technology, API or software product; the organisation operates as a convening and advocacy body rather than a technology company.

Revenue is generated through three streams: annual membership fees paid by local authorities with statutory responsibility for public library services (the primary recurring stream), project grants and funding from bodies such as Arts Council England, DCMS and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and donations accepted via Crowdfunder. Specific membership pricing is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is a direct membership model targeted at UK local authorities, supplemented by sector partnerships with cultural, academic and government bodies and an advocacy channel reaching MPs and policy committees.

Name

Libraries Connected

Legal name

Libraries Connected

Website

https://librariesconnected.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Libraries Connected is the UK independent charity and membership body for public library services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies, representing 176 library services and ~3,000 branches serving over 61 million people through advocacy, training, awards and grant-funded programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Library Services Membership Organisation

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Library membership organisation
• Library sector advocacy
• Library professional networks
• Public sector membership body

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Local authorities with statutory responsibility for public library services pay an annual membership fee. In return, member services receive access to projects, discounts, funding opportunities, and their staff can join networks, events, training and project groups.
2. Project grants and funding: Libraries Connected receives grant funding for specific projects from Arts Council England and other funding bodies. Examples include £65,770 from Arts Council England for ebook licensing programme and participation in £5 million of the £29 million Know Your Neighbourhood Fund.
3. Donations: The organization accepts donations through Crowdfunder platform.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Libraries Connected is the independent national membership body representing public library services across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies. It exists to support, advocate on behalf of, and represent the public library sector, providing members with national projects (such as the Summer Reading Challenge), professional networks, project groups, events, training, e-learning, awards, a knowledge base, and bulk-buy discounts on library supplies and digital resources.

Product overview

Libraries Connected is a membership body for public library services operating as a single unified offering rather than a modular platform. The core product is membership services providing access to projects, networks, events, training, funding, and discounts. Supporting this are the Member Platform (web application for managing memberships), Libraries Connected Awards (annual recognition program), Universal Library Offers (framework for library services), and Knowledge resources including e-learning, reports, guidance, and statistics. Projects such as Culture Nature Now, Elicensing for Public Libraries, and Know Your Neighbourhood represent time-limited initiatives developed with partners. The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Libraries Connected Awards: Annual awards celebrating the achievements of library workers who have had an exceptional impact on their library service, users or local communities
• Universal Library Offers

Products and services

• Membership of Libraries Connected Annual subscription membership for public library services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies, providing access to advocacy, project groups, events, training, e-learning, knowledge base resources, the Libraries Connected Awards, and member discounts on library supplies and digital resources.
• Member Platform Online member portal hosting the Knowledge Base, E-Learning, Project Groups, and member information for subscribing public library services.
• Knowledge Base Resource library of guidance, documents and best practice for member library services on the Member Platform.
• E-Learning Online training and professional development modules delivered through the Member Platform for staff of member library services.
• Project Groups Thematic peer networks that bring together member library services to collaborate on shared sector priorities.
• National Library Projects (e.g. Summer Reading Challenge) Nationally-funded engagement programmes such as the Summer Reading Challenge, delivered through member library services to library users across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
• Libraries Connected Awards Awards programme recognising excellence across the UK public library sector, open to member library services.
• Member Discounts on Library Supplies and Digital Resources Collectively-negotiated discounts on library supplies and digital resources available exclusively to members through supplier partnerships.
• Sector Events and Conferences National and regional events and conferences for members of the UK public library sector, supporting networking, learning and sector advocacy.

Quantifiable outcome

• £3.4 billion annual social value generated by England's public libraries (6x ROI on running costs)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Arts Council EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funding partner providing grants for library projects including ebook licensing programme (£65,770), workforce strategy development, and co-delivery of Know Your Neighbourhood Fund. Arts Council England is a key government arm's-length body supporting libraries.
• CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of workforce development strategy 'Shared Ambitions' alongside Libraries Connected, Libraries Rising, and Arts Council England. Represents library and information professionals.
• Libraries RisingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in co-creating the workforce development strategy 'Shared Ambitions' and other sector initiatives. Focuses on children, young people and communities.
• DCMS (Department for Culture, Media & Sport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department providing funding for Know Your Neighbourhood Fund (£29 million package) and general policy oversight for public libraries as a statutory service.
• The Reading AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational charity bringing libraries together with publishers and authors to inspire more people to read more. Works with Libraries Connected on reader development initiatives.
• British LibrarymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational library partner contributing to ebook lending discussions and part of reference group for ebook licensing project.
• Good Things FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital inclusion charity partner working on digital skills and inclusion initiatives for libraries.
• DSIT (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department for digital inclusion and technology initiatives affecting libraries.
• Local Government AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents and supports local authorities who run public library services.
• Association of Independent Museums (AIM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Know Your Neighbourhood Fund delivery alongside Libraries Connected and Creative Lives, delivering £5 million to arts and culture organisations.
• Creative LivesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Know Your Neighbourhood Fund delivery alongside Libraries Connected and AIM.
• Women's Prize TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Women's Prize Readers' Room project to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Women's Prize with libraries.
• OverDrivesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital reading platform and headline sponsor of Libraries Connected Awards for four consecutive years. Provides ebook and audiobook lending solutions to libraries.
• Oxygen ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative agency partner for Black British Ballet exhibition, bringing together archive photography, film, and new video/audio interviews.
• Library Country UkrainesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership allowing UK library community to provide practical support to libraries in Ukraine. Executive Director Lyusyena Shum received President's Special Achievement Award 2025.
• BBCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner represented on Libraries Connected Awards judging panel and involved in library sector initiatives.
• BookTrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's reading charity partner working with libraries on reading promotion.
• University of East AngliasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that conducted research showing £3.4 billion annual social value of public libraries. Professors Gordon and team developed methodology for valuing library services.
• Greater London AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Loved and Wanted campaign promoting social cohesion across London.
• Natural EnglandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body for environment partner in Culture Nature Now project connecting libraries with Protected Site Strategies.
• Booksellers AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of national reference group for ebook licensing programme improving how libraries and publishers work together.
• Society of AuthorssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of national reference group for ebook licensing programme.
• The Publishers AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of national reference group for ebook licensing programme. Also involved in continuing discussions on ebook policies.
• Share the VisionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner whose Vision and Print Impaired People's Promise underpins Universal Library Offers.
• ASCEL (Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner whose Children's Promise underpins Universal Library Offers.
• Children North EastsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner working on children's welfare and development through libraries.
• The Combined RegionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional network partner representing library services across combined regions.
• Warm Welcome SpacessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative partner supporting libraries as warm spaces during energy crisis and beyond.
• Oreham GroupsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobal publishing consultants led by Emma House (former deputy CEO of Publishers Association) leading ebook licensing project.
• National Year of ReadingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign partner for National Year of Reading initiatives including ebook licensing programme.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Arts Council England: Arm's-length government body distributing public funds for arts and culture. Both a major funder of Libraries Connected and a peer in shaping cultural-policy direction that affects public libraries.
• British Library: UK national library. Collaborates with Libraries Connected on ebook lending discussions and is a reference-group partner for the ebook licensing project; operates at a much larger scale but in an adjacent part of the library ecosystem.
• Local Government Association: National membership body for UK local authorities. While not library-specific, it represents the same statutory bodies that operate member library services and shape library funding decisions.

Direct peers

• Libraries Rising: Charity focused on children, young people and communities through libraries. Co-created the 'Shared Ambitions' workforce strategy alongside Libraries Connected, CILIP and Arts Council England.
• CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals): UK professional body for library and information professionals. Direct peer and co-creator with Libraries Connected of the 'Shared Ambitions' workforce strategy; serves an overlapping constituency of library leaders and workers.
• BookTrust: Children's reading charity working with libraries, schools and families across the UK. Peer in promoting reading engagement, with overlapping library-sector partnerships.
• The Combined Regions: Regional network representing library services across combined UK regions. Direct peer providing member-driven representation, complementary to Libraries Connected's national remit.
• The Reading Agency: National charity that delivers reading and literacy programmes in partnership with UK public libraries. Operates in the same library-services ecosystem and collaborates with Libraries Connected on reader development initiatives.
• ASCEL (Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians): UK association of senior children's and education librarians. Direct peer whose Children's Promise underpins Libraries Connected's Universal Library Offers framework.

Emerging players

• Share the Vision: Coalition promoting library services for vision- and print-impaired people. Its Vision and Print Impaired People's Promise is one of the Universal Library Offers under Libraries Connected's framework; operates as a specialist sub-network within the broader ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/libraries-connected
• Instagraminstagram.com/librariesconnected

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Libraries Connected