This Libraries Week (4-10 October 2021) libraries across the UK showcase their vital role in supporting active and engaged communities as we celebrate the transformative impact libraries can have on people’s lives, circumstances, and on the wider community

• As drivers for inclusion, sustainability, social mobility and community cohesion, this Libraries Week will explore how libraries are taking action to support and engage their communities. From guerrilla gardening to virtual reality, community action to book groups, we will be celebrating all that libraries do to help people take part and make a difference.
• We are inviting people to #ShareTheChange this Libraries Week by taking part in CILIP’s photo campaign to get the nation sharing stories of the change the library has made to their life or how the library has enabled them to make a positive impact on their community.
• Penguin Random House Children’s, in partnership with Authors Aloud UK, help us kick off Libraries Week with a special book event with author Femi Fadugba, talking about his new book The Upper World, a game-changing YA thriller that defies space and time and in which the library has a part to play!
• On Wednesday 6 October, The Reading Agency reveals their new free, online reading for pleasure game, The Reading Adventure, piloting in Islington as part of the Get Islington Reading Programme.
• We explore future leadership in the library, information and knowledge sector in the second CILIP #ChangingLives Seminar on Thursday 7 October with a keynote presentation from Dr Buhle Mbambo-Thata.
• On Friday 8 October, ahead of #WorldHomelessnessDay on Sunday, The Reading Agency, in partnership with Libraries Connected, invites libraries to join No Fixed Abode - Building the Public Library Offer, with insights from a panel of experts including The Big Issue’s Lord Bird, alongside discussion and sharing of public library best practice.
• Join the conversation and take action with your library this #LibrariesWeek!

This October, communities and librarians across the country are taking part in a week-long celebration of the nation’s much-loved libraries. Libraries Week 2021 takes place between the 4 and 10 October and celebrates the vital role of libraries in supporting active and engaged communities.

From health and wellbeing initiatives to combatting social isolation, providing support for vulnerable groups to digital inclusion, and climate action, the library is a place for coming together and taking action.

Libraries Week is organised by CILIP, the UK’s library and information association. Nick Poole, Chief Executive said:

“During the pandemic libraries became a very visible lifeline for many, an essential service helping to reduce isolation for thousands of vulnerable people. As communities focus on rebuilding post-Covid, libraries continue to have a vital role to play in supporting economic, cultural and academic recovery.

This year, I am proud to celebrate the innovative and creative ways that libraries have risen to the challenges presented by the pandemic and the noticeable renaissance they are having in driving forward positive change with and for the diverse communities they serve.

Libraries offer an incredible platform for people of all ages and walks of life to share ideas, make connections and take action to improve the places and spaces where they live and work. This Libraries Week, we want everyone to get involved and discover how they can take action through their library.”

Libraries Week Events and Activities

To celebrate this year’s theme, Taking Action, Changing Lives, those working in and using libraries and information services will be encouraged to think about and share their experiences of the positive impact libraries have on people’s lives. Launching on social media on Monday 4 October, the first day of Libraries Week, we are inviting people to #ShareTheChange by taking part in CILIP’s photo campaign to get the nation sharing stories of the change the library has made to their life or how the library has enabled them to make a positive impact on their community. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the impact libraries and individuals can make to their communities and inspire others to take action.

Each day of Libraries Week, CILIP will be crowd sourcing contributions to CILIP’s #Changing Lives Reading List with books to educate and inspire on a range of topics from Anti-racism, LGBTQ+ and Disability to mental health, well-being and climate change. We are seeking contributions from librarians on these important topics to add to the list.

Penguin Random House Children’s, in partnership with Authors Aloud UK, help us to celebrate the launch of Libraries Week with a special online event with author Femi Fadugba in conversation with Annie Everall on Monday evening. Femi will be talking about his new book The Upper World a game-changing YA thriller that defies space and time and in which the library has a part to play! Soon to be a major Netflix movie starring Oscar-winning Daniel Kaluuya, the book is a breathtakingly ambitious exploration of free will, the physics of time-travel and the capacity of two teenagers to see a future worth fighting for.

Monday 4 October sees the launch of two exciting new exhibitions in libraries from projects funded by the Arts Council. Danielle Teale Dance launches the exhibition for Collective IDentity (CID Project), which brings expressive, moving, and creative dance opportunities to people with Parkinson's both online and in-person. The exhibition features three commissioned artists who will present new creations alongside photographic work captured in dancers' homes and the screening of excerpts from a documentary film, with the aim of shifting and evolving ideas surrounding care, identity, and compassion. It will tour 14-venues across the UK, including libraries, hospitals and arts centres starting across two locations in East London, Poplar Union and Ideas Store Bow.

Danielle Teale, Artistic Director of the CID Project commented:

"Working with CILIP for the national expansion of the CID Project has given the work a new platform through which to connect with people with Parkinson's up and down the country who might be harder to reach and isolated due to the pandemic. Libraries are an invaluable community space where people can engage with art and culture in a friendly and accessible way. Providing the perfect space to showcase our work to even greater numbers, our new exhibition, Who we are now, and then… will share perspectives on identity from the lives of dancers with Parkinson’s, which we are proud to be launching during Libraries Week.”

And Bella Milroy’s creative project, Mob-Shop, launches its artistic exhibition in Derbyshire Libraries. Bella’s Mob-Shop project commissioned disabled artists to respond speculatively to the concept of the mobility shop and explore the practices of the aids and devices disabled people use every day. The exhibition is a series of newly created artworks, writing, workshops and podcasts.

Bella Milroy commented:

“Mobility shops are a fascinating way of examining disabled experiences and disability culture; it felt really important for that to occur in a space that could make room for, focus in on and celebrate just some of what it means to exist as a disabled person today. Libraries facilitated this ease of access, space and safety for this to happen in the way I always wanted it to, and the project is so much better for it.”

On Wednesday 6 October, The Reading Agency reveals their new free, online reading for pleasure game, The Reading Adventure. The game is piloting in Islington as part of the Get Islington Reading Programme and The Reading Agency have been developing the game closely with the Islington Library service. The game invites children in year 6 and 7 to select a reading adventure based on six interest areas, including sport, music, art and crafts, science and technology, nature and the environment and cooking. Find out more and sign up your child, class or group at The Reading Adventure.

On the Wednesday evening the Public & Mobile Libraries Group in Scotland are hosting a fantastic free virtual celebration: Scotland’s public libraries: beating hearts of their local communities. Showcasing some of the incredible work that is taking place in libraries across the nation: from promoting literacy, learning, health and wellbeing, to championing climate action and spreading small acts of kindness that add up to a big difference.

The second of CILIP’s #ChangingLives Seminar Series, hosted by Shirley Yearwood-Jackman, Chair of the CILIP BAME Network, takes place on Thursday 7 October. Focusing on the theme of Future Leaders in the Library, Information and Knowledge sector, this evening seminar will include lightning talks from a diverse range of information professionals alongside a keynote from Dr Buhle Mbambo-Thata, University Librarian of the National University of Lesotho.

On Friday 8 October, ahead of #WorldHomelessnessDay on Sunday, The Reading Agency invites libraries to join No Fixed Abode - Building the Public Library Offer. In partnership with Libraries Connected, this session will kick off with insights from a panel of experts including The Big Issue’s Lord Bird, alongside the sharing of public library best practice and a discussion of how we can work together to remove barriers to reading and libraries for this vulnerable community. Library staff can sign up to the event here.

Karen Napier, CEO at the Reading Agency, said:

“Libraries are very special to The Reading Agency as core partners. They are fundamental community anchor organisations which provide democratic access points to reading, and we highly value and appreciate the special relationship we have had over our 20 years.

Throughout the pandemic, we've worked with libraries across the country to help to tackle loneliness and support mental health, mobilising to reach those who were most in need of social connectivity. This Libraries Week, we want to celebrate their tireless work and their spirit of collaboration.”

This year, Libraries Week is sponsored by Nielsen Book and Bolinda UK Ltd. As a leading provider of services to the book industry, Nielsen Book has been at the heart of the book industry for more than 100 years, working with libraries around the world to support the discovery and purchase, distribution and measurement of book borrowing to help libraries meet the needs of their users. In the lead up to this year's Libraries Week, Nielsen Book has launched the CILIP recognised Data-Driven Librarian course to empower librarians to use data more effectively and with confidence. They are also running special promotions on their leading library services throughout the month of October and supporting CILIP’s #ChangingLives Reading List with a virtual bookshelf to look inside each title powered by their Book2Look service.

Bolinda have joined forces with CILIP as a supporter of Libraries Week in 2021. Bolinda provides public libraries with the number one solution for eBooks and eAudiobooks, delivering the best range of UK and International publishers directly to library users through BorrowBox, your library in one app. Bolinda is proud to support Libraries Week this October, celebrating the essential role of libraries within their communities and the power of great stories to change lives! As part of their contribution, Bolinda is offering a vast range of inspiring eBooks and eAudiobooks around inclusion, recovery, sustainability, social change and mental health support, including multi-access copies so that even more library users can benefit from this powerful content. They are also creating bespoke media assets, collaborating with key library authors on fantastic videos and launching a nationwide branch competition to help libraries create engaging and impactful multi-channel campaigns!

With a range of fantastic and meaningful events and activities taking place in libraries across the UK, including fun palaces, rhymetimes, reading groups, author talks, wellbeing workshops and social activities, there is plenty to get involved in this #LibrariesWeek.

Join in the #LibrariesWeek conversation and take action with your library today!

Press contact

Natalie Jones
natalie.jones@cilip.org.uk
0202 7255 0518

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Notes for editors

1. Libraries Week

Libraries Week is organised by CILIP, the library and information association, and supported by partners including Arts Council England, The Reading Agency, Libraries Connected, London Libraries and the School Library Association. www.librariesweek.org.uk

2. CILIP

CILIP, the library and information association, is the leading voice for the information, knowledge management and library profession. Our goal is to put information and library skills and professional values at the heart of a democratic, equal and prosperous society. CILIP is a registered charity, no. 313014. www.cilip.org.uk

3. Nielsen Book

Nielsen Book is a leading provider of search, discovery, commerce, consumer research and retail sales analysis services globally. Nielsen runs the Registration Agencies (ISBN and SAN Agencies for UK & Ireland), provides search and discovery products through its Nielsen BookData product range, electronic trading via Nielsen BookNet and PubEasy services, retail sales analysis via Nielsen BookScan and consumer research through its Books and Consumer Survey. The company is wholly owned by Nielsen. For more information, please visit: www.nielsenbook.co.uk.

4. Bolinda UK Ltd

Bolinda is a recognised leader in the field of audio books and the creator of BorrowBox – your library in one app - the UK’s leading eBook & eAudiobook download solution in public libraries. Follow Bolinda audio @bolindaaudio, @borrowbox or Libraries go to www.bolindalibrary.com/uk, and www.borrowbox.com and for consumers shop at: bolinda.com/uk, audible.co.uk, itunes.com, googleplay store globally.

5. The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency is the leading charity tackling life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. The Reading Agency is funded by Arts Council England. www.readingagency.org.uk.

6. Arts Council England

Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

7. Libraries Connected

Libraries Connected is a membership organisation, representing heads of library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We take a leading role in the development of public libraries through advocating for the power of libraries, sharing best practice and helping to shape the public library service now and in the future. www.librariesconnected.org.uk

8. London Libraries

London Libraries is the London region of Libraries Connected and has membership of all 32 boroughs in the City of London. It works collaboratively to promote London’s public library network and delivers regional campaigns and annual events including the London Libraries Festival ‘World of Possibilities’ which takes place on the Saturday of National Libraries Week.

9. School Library Association (SLA)

The SLA is a UK focused charity which supports everyone involved in school libraries. They believe that every pupil is entitled to effective school library provision and the educational, emotional and developmental benefits that come with it. The SLA is committed to supporting, promoting and sustaining high quality reading and teaching and learning opportunities for all in a diverse and changing world. www.sla.org.uk.