UK Library Bodies Unite to Form Libraries Alliance, Marking a Pivotal Moment for the Sector

In a landmark move for the UK’s library ecosystem, leading organisations have come together to form the Libraries Alliance—a new coalition aimed at strengthening collaboration, advocacy, and innovation across the sector. Launched on 9 October 2025 at Manchester Central Library, the initiative coincides with the 175th anniversary of the Libraries Act, underscoring both legacy and future ambition.

The Libraries Alliance brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, including:

– Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
– Libraries Connected
– Arts Council England
– British Library
– Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL)

While a formal membership structure is still evolving, the Alliance is open to public, higher education, independent, health, and national libraries—reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and cross-sector collaboration.

The Alliance’s founding statement, titled Libraries Through Life, positions libraries as essential gateways to knowledge, empowerment, and community connection at every stage of life. It reaffirms core values of free access, inclusivity, and resistance to censorship, while acknowledging the need to evolve in response to digital transformation, AI, and shifting public expectations.

Key goals include:

– Advocating for a new Vision for Libraries in partnership with government
– Enhancing public trust in library professionals and their role in civic life
– Addressing challenges posed by technological change and declining engagement
– Promoting libraries as engines of education, wellbeing, and economic growth

The launch event featured Baroness Twycross and other cultural leaders, highlighting the Alliance’s strategic importance. It arrives amid renewed parliamentary interest in the future of public libraries, with debates scheduled in Westminster and increased attention to the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.

The Alliance also aligns with broader efforts to modernise infrastructure through the Libraries Improvement Fund, ensuring libraries remain relevant and resilient in the face of societal change.

While still in its early stages, the Libraries Alliance signals a shift from fragmented advocacy to unified action. Its success will depend on sustained collaboration, clear policy engagement, and the ability to adapt to emerging challenges—from AI integration to community outreach.

For librarians, educators, and citizens alike, this is more than a bureaucratic reshuffle—it’s a chance to reimagine what libraries can be in the 21st century.

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