iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by IsobelHunter

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 09/10/2025

📚 175 years after their creation, public libraries are still vital Our CEO @ih1968.bsky.social reflects in The MJ on the enduring power of libraries, 175 years after the first Public Libraries Act was passed. 🔗 www.themj.co.uk/175-creation...

themj.co.uk

175 years after their creation, public libraries are still vital

When Charles Dickens gave a rousing speech at the opening of Manchester Free Library in September 1852, he expressed his ‘earnest hope that the books thus made available...

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Reposted by IsobelHunter

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 09/10/2025

Our Chief Executive @ih1968.bsky.social MBE introduces our Libraries 175 event at Manchester Central #Library. Public #Libraries, Isobel reminds us, are one of the most effective tools we have to bring people together when divisions threaten the fabric of our society. @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social

The stained glass inside Manchester Central Library.

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Reposted by IsobelHunter

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 30/10/2025

Last month our Chief Executive @ih1968.bsky.social attended the Lviv International Library Conference to express our ongoing support for Ukraine's #Libraries. Isobel has written about the five most notable things she has learnt from our twinning work. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/five-th...

Library Country Ukraine Director Lyusyena Shum stands in front of a mobile library with her family.

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Reposted by IsobelHunter

Tabitha Witherick @tabisw.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Valuable meeting with Baroness Twycross, Libraries Minister, today. Great to be alongside Isobel ( @ih1968.bsky.social ), @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social and sector partners to talk all things libraries - including the magic for children and young people and the opportunities ahead.

Three people smiling in the street in London

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Over the last weeks I have been testing Bluesky and LinkedIn alongside X by posting to all three. I’ve decided to move myself to LinkedIn as that’s where I find the most useful content and connections, with an informed and interested community. So hopefully see you there!

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Thank you to all the Libraries Connected Trustees for a very productive Board meeting last week where we talked about our plans for next year and navigating complex messaging

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

A packed room at the @LibrariesUnLtd staff conference in Exeter. It’s great to be here and to listen to how this service is firing on all cylinders with some really innovative projects to connect with community across @DevonCC and @Torbay_Council

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

My first visit to @LondonBookFair yesterday where I hosted a panel about library futures. It’s a massive event! It reinforced my belief in the essential role libraries play in the bookosphere to build audiences of readers and grow new authors

londonbookfair.co.uk

The London Book Fair | Defining the Future of Creative Content

The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for the publishing industry. Discover LBF, the UK's No.1 book fair defining the future of creative content.

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Reposted by IsobelHunter

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 10/03/2025

Do you want to see public #Libraries move up the political agenda? We are seeking a Policy, External Affairs and Research Director to advocate for the #Library sector at national and regional levels of government. Apply by midnight on 6 April. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/jobs-and-opp...

A librarian talks to a group of people. Behind her are stacked library shelves.

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Wonderful meeting yesterday with the inspirational Steve Potash the CEO at Overdrive. Steve has been doing this for donkey’s years but is bursting with enthusiasm, new ideas and a hunger to promote libraries. Steve says “I’m an optimist”!

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Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

On #InternationalWomensDay I think about the millions of women who don’t have the rights I do and can’t choose to be educated, whether to have children, to work, to drive, to ride a bike, or what to wear, to travel ….

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

I am gathering examples of what digital inclusion work libraries can do when they are provided with funded roles. Libraries make the funding go so far! One junior member of staff took library support out into 28 locations all across her county! Send me your examples!!

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Looking sooooo good at 60! I’m at the event to celebrate Swiss Cottage Library - visibly spectacular thanks to the architect Basil Spence. And equally spectacular for the services the building holds buff.ly/Cfh2Qlg

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Reposted by IsobelHunter

Bobby Seagull MBE @bobbyseagull.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

"Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card!" Happy #WorldBookDay! In school, I've dressed up as cartoon Arthur and the library card song! A survey found that 4 in 10 adults hadn't read a single book in the past year. Why do you think so many adults don't read for pleasure? #Reading

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Come and work with us! This is a unique opportunity to establish a new team to turbocharge our work advocating for the library sector, influencing policy, delivering research and shaping the national conversation around public libraries.

buff.ly

Policy, External Affairs and Research Director | Libraries Connected | CharityJob

Apply now for Policy, External Affairs and Research Director. , c. £70,000 per year, find a career with meaning today

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Happy #WorldBookDay!!! And thank you to all the libraries taking part to make it a roaring success and giving children the gift of choice - being able to choose from thousands of books what they want to read and enjoy

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Beautiful day here in Westminster and I’m here to attend the All Party Parliamentary Group for town centres. Half of all high streets in England have a library - and we’re a very important presence as town centres shift from retail to experience and community use

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

“Libraries changed my life. The team here is brilliant”. The local MP and Health Secretary making a heartfelt speech at the reopening of Fulwell Cross Library today

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

A treat for all mid century architect fans! I’m at the opening of the refurbished Fulwell Cross Library in Redbridge. A beautiful light filled casket, where visitors are embraced by curving shelves of books. buff.ly/3ciRVBb

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Thank you to all my Trustees for a super productive workshop yesterday where we looked at how we can support the growth and greater impact of Libraries Connected over the next few years. It’s a very turbulent period - so lots for us to do to support library services!

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Wonderful day yesterday with a joint team meeting with Libraries Connected and ASCEL staff. Exploring joint working across advocacy, leadership, children and young people, evidence and so much more.

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Today is 3 years since the full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Over 2,000 cultural sites have been destroyed and millions of books. To mark the sad occasion we’ve created a film of Ukrainian poems in English with our partner Library Country Ukraine.

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

We submitted evidence to the local government finance enquiry. I’m pleased to see the financial plight of libraries was also raised by others including CILIP, CIPFA, CCN, NAVCA, Tony Travers, Norfolk and Hampshire Councils, Reform Think Tank et al buff.ly/3EI0asP

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Thank you to all the members of our Advisory Committee. We are meeting today to discuss our policy work to raise the urgency of libraries with government, the innovation work of our regional networks, plans for funding bids and more!

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I had a wonderful visit to the beautiful library in the centre of Stratford upon Avon to meet our Past President @atubkhan786. The library staff are amazing - patient, gentle and kind and fielding a vast range of enquiries as people wander in!

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Lovely to represent libraries at today’s inaugural Jennie Lee lecture and to hear Lisa Nandy’s speech about how essential and arts are. I was pleased to ask a question about how the government will support libraries

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Lovely to be at Burgess Hill library to celebrate the centenary of the West Sussex Library Service. Celebrating the service’s heritage and being wowed by their futuristic VR activities

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I am thrilled that we have published our landmark report into ELicensing for public libraries, which shows that cheaper eBooks for libraries could revolutionise the promotion of reading. The interests of publishers, authors, libraries and readers align!

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Report: cheaper ebooks for libraries could "revolutionise the promotion of reading" | Libraries Connected

Publishers could open up important new promotional and reader development opportunities by making ebooks cheaper and more accessible to public libraries, according to a new report funded by Arts…

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Our library staff awards have had a record number of entries this year - and it’s amazing to see so much innovation and dedication. We are very grateful to OverDrive for sponsoring the Awards for fourth year running @OverDriveInc

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OverDrive to sponsor Libraries Connected Awards for fourth year running | Libraries Connected

OverDrive is creator of the award-winning library reading app Libby.

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Great start to the week as I am joining the New & Emerging Library Leader programme and looking forward to meeting some amazing people working in public libraries @ace_national @LGAcomms. The future is here now!!

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Here I am at City University for a workshop led by Media & Information Literacy Alliance to identify key priorities and practical ideas for us to deliver together @MILAllianceUK

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Now it’s official: consuming culture is good for your health and wellbeing – and generates £8bn a year worth of improvements in people’s quality of life and higher productivity. A new report commissioned by @dcms shows the vital work of our sector

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Consuming arts and culture is good for health and wellbeing, research finds | Health | The Guardian

Engaging with arts improves quality of life, increases productivity and creates financial ‘dividend’

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Library staff are amazing! Dedicated, thoughtful, creative and kind. Every year we celebrate their work with the Libraries Connected Awards. Get your nominations in by 6th January!!

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Libraries Connected Awards | Libraries Connected

Celebrating the achievements of library workers who have had an exceptional impact on their library service, users or local community.

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Sssh - don’t tell anyone - my brother-in-law is actually the real Father Christmas and today he was at Seacroft library spreading good cheer and giving presents @LeedsLibraries

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Wonderful to see so many libraries across the country lighting up this evening in solidarity with Spellow Library. It was burnt in the summer riots and is reopening tomorrow - thanks to the incredible work by the library team, council and community. A pheonix from the ashes! #ShareTheLight

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Reposted by IsobelHunter

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 10/12/2024

Spellow #Library will reopen its doors to the public this Thursday, 12 December. To mark the occasion they ask that you light up one or more of your community libraries tomorrow evening, Wednesday 11 December. Post your images using #SharetheLight and #Spellow.

media.tenor.com

a candle is lit up in the dark and has a very long flame

ALT: a candle is lit up in the dark and has a very long flame

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Reposted by IsobelHunter

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 10/12/2024

If you are considering applying for the third round of our #ACEFunded #Microgrants programme in January, have a look at our #Webinar to help you write a stronger proposal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQKv...

youtube.com

Microgrants Project | Learning from Each Round & Project Showcase | 2024

YouTube video by Libraries Connected

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Public libraries: a date for your diaries January 6th That’s when applications open for the third round of our microgrant programme. Funded by Arts Council England, libraries can apply for up to £5,000 for a small project or to support a larger one. www.librariesconnected.org.uk/projects/mic...

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IsobelHunter @ih1968.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

We’ve recently launched our new website. Thanks to the hard work and creativity of my colleagues, I think it looks really fresh and easy to navigate. I hope you like it too! www.librariesconnected.org.uk

librariesconnected.org.uk

Home page | Libraries Connected

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