Case studies

St Helens Library Service works in partnership across the Council and beyond to ensure children and young people have a positive start in life, through the provision of quality books and activities that strengthen speech, language and communication.

Libraries faced an unprecedented demand for their services during lockdown. Libraries Connected estimate that libraries made 5 million additional digital loans and loaned 3.5 million more e-books than usual in this period.

Knowing that residents in lockdown would be facing isolation, loneliness and a lack of opportunity to engage in cultural activities, Barnsley Museums sought to continue their programmes in new and innovative ways.

The digital bootcamp supported over 20 organisations to build on their digital marketing and business skills, which in turn helped them to connect to their members and communities, develop their digital business and access guidance and funding.

​​​​​​​Norfolk County Council is using its libraries to promote healthy living and target some of the most pressing health priorities for the local population.

The Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre opened in February 2016 – a new-build, combined facility in Levenshulme, which cost £9.1 million.

In 2013, Bradford Libraries commissioned a review of its library service. This was a major piece of work and involved considerable consultation with library users and non-users and other stakeholders.

Suffolk’s library service is provided by an industrial and provident society, with Suffolk County Council’s role as expert commissioner.

Explore is a mutual organisation which runs library services on behalf of the City of York Council.

In Peterborough, a new delivery model for the city’s library service has reduced its cost by over 20 per cent while increasing public access by 50 per cent.