UK-wide Laureate’s Library Tour – H-K Applications
Using the alphabet as a compass, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will give readings across the UK each spring this decade to celebrate the library as one of the great and necessary institutions. Would you like the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to give a free reading in...
Willingdon Hub
Willingdon Hub celebrate its 1000th member! Huge congratulations to our 1000th member, Sue, who received a £20 book token and chocolate egg for helping us reach this amazing milestone. We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported and continues to support the...
People’s Powerhouse
The People’s Powerhouse’s want every northerner to be heard so they can influence the decisions that affect their lives. They bring northerners together so that they can decide what the future of the North should look like. The People’s Powerhouse wants to be the...
Changing the Tune: 10 Years of Playlist for Life
Playlist for Life are celebrating 10 years of inspirational work, join them for an exciting gathering of friends and partners. An inspirational day of talks, learning, sharing ideas and of course…music! This is a free, half-day event open to all. Find out more
Learn My Way & NDIN
Learn My Way The new Learn My Way platform has now been launched and is available for library users to start learning now - learners can even try a few topics before fully registering. Topics range from using devices and staying in touch online to online safety &...
‘My First 3-months with CMLNPN’ – Paul Kelly
Getting started...It’s been a whirlwind of a few months since I joined the Community Libraries Network in February 2023 as the Coordinator for the North and North Midlands. I’ve had a long work experience in the community development sector but have been quite blown...
Roman Road Library and Gym, Blackburn
Roman Road library is one of 3 in Blackburn with Darwen run with the support of local volunteers in partnership with the Council. Roman Road is managed by BwD Healthy Living CIC – a charity – and includes a Gym! Now there’s a unique approach to supporting healthy...
Fallowfield Library, Manchester – ‘Closure Never An option’ Book Launch
Fallowfield Library are celebrating 10 years of service with a book launch! Sat, May 20 at 5:00-7:00 PM Platt Ln, Manchester M14 7FB, UK The book celebrates 10 years since the start of the campaign to save Fallowfield Library and the development of The Place at Platt...
DeafblindUK
There are around 400,000 people living with deafblindness in the UK. This means that both their sight and hearing are reduced to the point where it impacts their communication, mobility and ability to access information. DeafblindUK is supporting organisations, like...
Great Get Together
This year’s Great Get Together is being held between the 23rd and 25th of June, and the Jo Cox Foundation would love for Community Libraries to be involved! Inspired by Jo Cox's message that 'we have more in common than that which divides us' the Great Get Together is...
Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS)
Non-domestic customers that operate in energy and trade intensive industries (ETII) are now able to apply for additional support through the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme portal. A list of those sectors eligible for the additional support can be found on GOV.UK;...
London Mini-Conference – June 2023
Community Libraries Network welcomes you to the first regional mini-conference of 2023, taking place in Ealing, London. The mini-conference format is designed to encourage intimate discussion and networking, reduce the need for extended travel and showcase a small yet...
HI VIS FORTNIGHT 2023
HiVis fortnight 2023 is taking place between 1st – 14th June, marking a shift to a consistent, ‘first two weeks in June’ from here on in! What hasn’t changed is the aim to celebrate ‘all things’ related to accessible libraries and reading, and our desire to get as...
Loughborough Farm recruiting Senior Community Gardener
Are you experienced and passionate about community food growing and community gardening? Interested in joining our small and dynamic team of community food growers at the Loughborough Farm in Loughborough Junction, in south London? Then look no further. Loughborough...
Green Libraries Conference 2023
Green Libraries Conference - March 2023 The Inaugural Green Libraries Conference took place on Friday 24th March 2023 in London at the Wellcome Collection. 130 delegates came together from across the UK to discuss the attainable and sustainable successes of the Green...
LivingRoom – Creative Community Projects
LivingRoom is a series of micro-commissions in which we pair professional artists/companies with a local community group to create a bespoke performance or piece of artwork. Best of all, it's completely free to get involved! Take a look at some of the projects which...
Creating Inclusive Community Spaces on our High Streets
As Power to Change reflect on their interim learnings of Community Improvement District (CIDs) pilots, I consider how important community led organisations are in shaping future high streets. Community led organisations such as libraries can help breathe life back...
Ready, Set, Read! – 2023 Summer Reading Challenge
Delivered in partnership with national children's charity the Youth Sport Trust and public libraries, this year's Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep children's minds and bodies active over the summer break, empowering young people to forge new connections with...
Royal Voluntary Service – Celebrating Volunteers
In honour of Their Majesties’ service to the country, Royal Voluntary Service is launching the Coronation Champions Awards for volunteers, an official Coronation project. Together with Her Majesty The Queen Consort, the awards will celebrate extraordinary volunteers...
Voter ID Requirement
From 4 May 2023, voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in some elections. This will apply to: Local elections Police and Crime Commissioner elections UK parliamentary by-elections Recall petitions From October 2023 it will also apply...
Natwest Carbon Planner
Carbon Planner is free and could support you to become a more sustainable and climate conscious organisation, and help you to identify potential cost and carbon savings too. Use it to measure your carbon footprint by answering a few questions, get tailored actions and...
The Big Help Out
To mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation thousands of organisations across the country are getting together to give us all the chance to help out in our own local communities. Starting on Monday 8th May there will be opportunities for everyone to join in. No matter...
TV Licensing – Dispensation for the King’s Coronation
This year a range of events and initiatives will take place to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, culminating in a three-day UK bank holiday weekend in May. The BBC is offering local communities a one-off TV Licence...
Congratulations to David, Sue & Chris!
Our wonderful trustees David Smith, Sue Wills & Chris Clarke celebrated their investitures recently, recognising their contributions to libraries and communities. We congratulate them all for their significant and ongoing contributions, and on the recognition they...
Help for Households
Ensuring prepayment meter customers receive £400 energy bills discount UK households are eligible for money off their electricity bills via the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS), which is paid in monthly instalments, running until March 2023. The government is asking...
Simon Armitage – Libraries Tour
Does your library’s name or location in the UK (village, town or city, but not street) begin with the letters H, I, J or K? If so, you’re welcome to submit an invitation by [date tbc], asking Simon Armitage to visit during the next Tour in 2024. Simon Armitage has...
Updates from the Network
Library On An initiative being developed to connect library services with people, co-designed with library services, which is funded by Arts Council England and powered by the British Library. The ethos is to celebrate libraries and improve their perception, share...
More than just books
The Community Libraries Network and the Digital Culture Network have come together to see how our Tech Champions can support libraries in their digital journeys. If you run or support a community library and would like to get in touch to book a free 1-2-1 support...
Register for Volunteers – Warm Welcome Campaign
Warm Welcome is working with partners to identify and communicate to potential volunteers for Warm Welcome Spaces and this is your opportunity to connect with these willing helpers. Find out more
Corbett Community Library – Good Things Foundation
Corbett Library have been awarded a project grant by the Good Things Foundation to help battle digital exclusion within its catchment area. With the cost-of-living crisis driving up inequalities and layering further complexities on the personal circumstances of...