The British Library’s strategy, ‘Living Knowledge’ sets out their ambition to “make our intellectual heritage accessible to everyone, for research, inspiration and enjoyment.” Under this strategy, the British Library has become much more proactive in engaging and building partnerships with the library and information field. Specifically, they have established the ‘Living Knowledge Network’ – a UK-wide partnership programme with public libraries which has seen them sharing content, exhibitions, programming and promotional activities. The British Library also leads the development of the network of ‘Business and IP Centres’ in libraries across the UK, providing access to business advice through public libraries.

The National Library of Wales’ strategic plan sets out their mission to “collect, preserve and give access to all kinds and forms of recorded knowledge, especially relating to Wales and the Welsh and other Celtic peoples, for the benefit of the public, including those engaged in research and learning.”. The library works with the Welsh Government to provide support for libraries across Wales, including through the promotion and development of digital initiatives like The Peoples Collection Wales.

The National Library of Scotland’s strategy, “Reaching People” sets out their mission to “enhance Scotland’s international reputation by making a significant and lasting contribution to global knowledge and the memory of the world.” The library fulfils this mission through a wide range of services including access to collections, digital development, preservation and support for learning, research and discovery. NLS provides leadership and support for the wider library community in Scotland.

DCMS holds the ‘policy’ mandate for libraries and is responsible for ‘super-intendence’ (regulation and oversight) under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act. In practical terms, this involves liaison with Local Government and library services to promote improvements, to maintain provision and to ensure alignment with other central Government priorities. Recently, DCMS Libraries Team has shifted into a ‘proactive’ mode whereby they engage with local Authorities before any changes to services are implemented.

DLUHC is responsible for the oversight and regulation of the work of Local Government, which is the primary funder of publicly funded library services in England. They do not have a specific mandate for library policy but are responsible for ensuring that libraries are included in policy initiatives (often referred to as a ‘Libraries First’ policy).

MALD is responsible for setting policy, overseeing library standards, promoting service improvement and directing funding to library and information services in Wales, as well as for engagement with the National Library of Wales.

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is the independent advisory body to the Scottish Government on matters relating to libraries and information services. Although not a Government agency, SLIC effectively defines and influences policy, strategy and investment decisions for the sector in Scotland.

Arts Council England is the sector development organisation for the arts, culture and libraries in England. They are the primary source of project and programme funding and grants to libraries. ACE maintains a network of Regional Relationship Managers for libraries who provide information, guidance and support as well as promoting networking and partnerships.

Libraries Connected is the Arts Council-funded Sector Support Organisation for public libraries across the UK (with a central organisation in England and national committees in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Libraries Connected run a wide range of programmes and initiatives designed to strengthen public library service delivery, raise the profile of libraries and secure engagement and investment from key stakeholders.

SCONUL is a membership organisation for National, College and University Libraries. They support a range of programmes with a focus on securing long-term access to digital content, promoting diversity in the library sector and strengthening the impact and visibility of their member libraries.

RLUK represent the UK community of academic and research libraries, with a particular emphasis on academic liaison, advocacy, representation and skills development as well as securing equitable access to e-content for their member libraries.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act addresses the provision of public library services in England. It creates an obligation on Local Government to provide ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library services, although it stops short of defining these. It also provides central Government (through DCMS) with powers to oversee (‘super-intend’) library services. The law was last amended in 2015, although it should be noted that during the pandemic, there were also a number of emergency legal instruments that also impacted on libraries.

The law creates a ‘duty to deposit’ on behalf of publishers, who must lodge copies of published works with the 5 Legal Deposit libraries in the UK (which includes the British Library, which is governed under its own specific legislation). The Act replaces the previous provision for Legal Deposit, which was covered by the Copyright Act as amended in 1911. It covers print and non-print materials including electronic media and copies of websites and provides limited exceptions to Copyright restrictions in respect of publishing material and making it available for research on and off-site.

There are specific exceptions to enable library and archive activities including preservation and copying for the purposes of research and private study. There is a Public Lending Right in the UK.

The UK is home to 15 providers of Library and Information Science training and education, which are accredited by CILIP against an agreed set of quality standards and guidelines. A full list of these accredited courses is available via the link below, but examples include City University of London, University College London, Colleg Llandrillo (Wales), University of Glasgow and Ulster University.   Generally, LIS instruction in the UK is post-graduate (although some under-graduate training is also available) and offered via a combination of campus-based and distance learning. An increasing proportion of LIS students are from outside the UK.

Information Professional is produced by CILIP. There are 8 issues a year and subscribers can also access the content archive via an app. The magazine covers the length and breadth of the library and information sector, with a combination of news, editorial, analysis and special features.

Produced by the School Library Association, the School Librarian magazine offers a mix of insight, analysis, news and expert advice for people working in schools and colleges.

Libraries Week takes place every year in the first week of October. Each year, a different theme is chosen (recent examples include Libraries for Lifelong Learning, Libraries for Health, Libraries for Digital Inclusion) and libraries in all sectors are invited to organise public-facing events and activities. These are usually accompanied by engagement with policymakers to promote the value of libraries.

The UK’s largest event for librarians and information professionals. CILIP conference and expo takes place in July each year and provides a combination of keynotes, practical workshops, panel sessions and debates along with networking activities and a social evening. The audience is drawn from across all sectors and features information professionals of different seniorities coming together to discuss topics of mutual interest.

An annual event in February focused on developments in UK and international copyright law and practice, organised in conjunction with specialist consultancy Naomi Korn ltd.

An annual event for people working in Academic and Research Libraries, offering a combination of keynotes, workshops, plenary sessions and panel debates.

An annual gathering of public library leaders organised by Libraries Connected with a varied agenda which includes presentations, talks, networking and collaborative workshops.