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Luke Oakes

@lukeoakes.bsky.social
1.3K followers 211 following 221 posts

Library Development Manager at Cambridgeshire Libraries

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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Mary Burgess @cambliblife.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Interesting to hear the news about the former Mill Road Library www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Here's what it looked like when it opened in 1896 and in 1980.
The main entrance of Mill Road Library with a man walking by on Mill Road. An engraving of the library on opening. There is a man with a top hat admiring the frontage.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Peak #LibrarianLego.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Cambridge University Library @theul.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Join us at Barnwell Library for a free poetry workshop inspired by our latest exhibition, Living Water: Poetry, Art and the Fight for Clean Rivers. Sat 9 May 2026 3:30-5pm Book: tinyurl.com/3ck9hh2c In partnership with WildFish, Cambridgeshire Libraries & University of Cambridge PACE.
Poster for a Cambridge University Library event titled “Our Living Water: Community poetry workshop.” It takes place on Saturday 9 May 2026 from 3:30pm to 5pm at Barnwell Library, Cambridge. The event is free for adults, with booking required due to limited spaces. The design features a green background, bold pink and white title text, and a photograph of a small stream flowing through grass.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Mary Burgess @cambliblife.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Getting some sources ready for our Women's History Wikipedia Edit-a-thon next month. It'll be on Saturday 14th March and we'll be adding to or creating Wikipedia entries for women from Cambridgeshire. You can find out more or book a place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womens-his...
eventbrite.co.uk
Women's History Month Edit-a-thon
Join us in the Cambridgeshire Collection and learn to create or improve Wikipedia entries about local women's history!
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
That moment when you're on the Underground and find yourself completely alone down a silent tunnel that, without a doubt, must be haunted.
An passenger tunnel on the Underground, that has tiled walls.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Saw this on the Tube this morning. Today marks 40 years of Poems on the Underground. You can see the archive @theul.bsky.social.
Poems on the Underground poster showing the following text:
Epitaph on a Tyrant
W. H. Auden

Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after,
And the poetry he invented was easy to understand;
He knew human folly like the back of his hand,
And was greatly interested in armies and fleets;
When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter,
And when he cried the little children died in the streets.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
And don't forget to join your public library 😀 📚
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Oh, this is cool 📚 🚇 www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
theguardian.com
Warsaw opens metro station ‘express’ library to get commuters off their phones
Metroteka aims to encourage people to read more in country that lost majority of libraries in second world war
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Mary Burgess @cambliblife.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Busy pricing books for our next local studies booksale, which will be on Saturday 11th October 1-4pm on the third floor of Cambridge Central Library. We'll have old and new books, maps and prints available - come and grab a bargain.
A group of books on a trolley with price labels tucked inside.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Louis Coiffait-Gunn @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
'Library work puts the librarian in touch with every human interest ... the profession on which all other professions and occupations depend' Love this old ALA graphic spotted on LinkedIn, anyone have a year for it?
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Never ask a librarian a question, unless you want a very thorough answer. 📚📚📚 #SearchEngineWithAHeart
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
It's not too late to sign up for the #SummerReadingChallenge! Watch our video to find out more 📚🌱 youtu.be/NWzjsndt89Q?... @readingagency.bsky.social
youtu.be
Summer Reading Challenge 2025 - Story Garden
YouTube video by Cambridgeshire Libraries
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Team luncheon with a view at the Michaelhouse Cafe. #LunchtimeLibrarians
Interior view of the Michaelhouse Cafe, showing the church building that houses it, complete with altar and stained glass window.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Great to be a guest of @goodthingsfdn.bsky.social at @houseoflords.parliament.uk giving me an opportunity to wax lyrical about delivering digital inclusion through libraries.
A photo looking up at the tower at the House of Lords end of the Houses of Parliament.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Currently hiding in the shade opposite @houseoflords.parliament.uk
Photo of the House of Lords end of Parliament.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
One way to get the accessibility word out 🤣 @nedpotter.bsky.social
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Love this series.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Excellent to be representing @librariesconnected.bsky.social at the launch of this important charter. A crucial step in delivering digital inclusion for all.
A crowd of people in business atire standing in front of a screen that reads, "IT Reuse for Good Charter."
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
The Barbican Centre (and Library) is just a whole nother world.
A view of the Barbican Centre terrace and pond.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
An excellent day learning about MDLS. Key takeaway for me was "meet people where THEY are" on using digital, and engage. www.goodthingsfoundation.org/policy-and-r...
goodthingsfoundation.org
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Looking forward to finding out new findings from the Minimum Digital Living Standard team. @goodthingsfdn.bsky.social @liverpooluni.bsky.social @lborouniversity.bsky.social @nuffieldfoundation.org
TV screen on the wall with the text Minimum Digital Living Standard 2025.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Oi, @orkneylibrary.bsky.social, St John's got one of your balls.
A cannonball sat next to a sign commentating the Priory Churdh of the Order of St John.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
You arrive too early for an event, go looking for a bench and accidentally find a portal to another land.
An archway showing St John's museum garden beyond.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Alan Akeroyd @alanakeroyd.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Will you be in Huntingdon on Saturday? Join us at 1.00 for a talk on the photographic firm of Maddison & Hinde, established in the 1850s, then view a selection of photos from the collection. Free! Booking details here www.library.live/calendar/loc...
A studio portrait showing four generations of the Tysoe family, consisting of three men and one child. The photograph is listed in the Maddison & Hinde order book, and can thus be dated to 1898.  David Cozens, in his book "Huntingdon A Pictorial History" believed the family may have lived in Hartford Road, Huntingdon. Doc ref HA WH2/70
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Join us today at 2pm as we talk about the role of volunteers in #DigitalInclusion www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/libraries-...
eventbrite.co.uk
Libraries Digital Inclusion Meet Up - Volunteers
An open forum co-chaired by libraries for libraries to talk about all things digital inclusion
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
First, and likely last, visit to the Story Garden. It'll be making way for the expansion of @britishlibrary.bsky.social. Check it out before it's gone, it's quite fun.
Photo of the Story Garden with the Francis Crick Institute in the background.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Very much enjoyed Unearthed @britishlibrary.bsky.social. A fabulous visual experience 📚🌱
Reproduction of a photo showing a brick wall with graffiti that states, "This site has been taken over by the people of Tolmers village for a garden".
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Holborn Library is looking swish.
Interior photo of Holborn Library, showing bookcases and display furniture.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Sue Lacey Bryant @suelacey-bryant.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the future of public libraries at 9:30am on 14 May 2025. The debate will be opened by @jonathandaviesmp.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
Future of public libraries
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the future of public libraries at 9:30am on 14 May 2025. The debate will be opened by Jonathan Davies MP.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Late to the party on this one. What a lovely video. He's a good bloke, that Robin Ince. m.youtube.com/watch?v=RPt9... @librariesunlimited.bsky.social @robinince.bsky.social
m.youtube.com
Life's Better With A Library
YouTube video by Libraries Unlimited
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Take a deep dive into local studies picture classification with my colleague @cambliblife.bsky.social. They very much know their beans (or in this case, nitrates). www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-stud...
media.tenor.com
a man wearing a hat is taking a picture with a camera
ALT: a man wearing a hat is taking a picture with a camera
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
That mighty aggregator of all things public library @publiclibraries.bsky.social is on @bsky.app! #FollowFollowFollow
media.tenor.com
a woman in a blue dress is reaching for a book on a ladder
ALT: a woman in a blue dress is reaching for a book on a ladder
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Great day in Wisbech meeting with the Library Development Team. Lots to discuss and plan.
A photo of the exterior of Peckover House in Wisbech.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
The Space @thespacearts.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Another successful VR on boarding by our partners @neon8uk.bsky.social . The #digitalspaces VR experience is now live at Cambridge #Libraries - check it out until 11 May. Look out for the VR180 Filming Masterclasses taking place in July! #Cambrisgeshire
A VR headset sits on a chairThe back of a head of a young person wearing a VR helmet. They are seated and we see others wearing headsets in the foregroundA person wears a VR headset. They look very impressed
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Woo! It's blossom season @theul.bsky.social.
A row of blossom trees outside the University Library.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Mary Burgess @cambliblife.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Just looking into the history of Ely Library today - here's the old library building on the Green by the Cathedral, which was opened on 5th April 1966.
The former County Library building at Ely, now the Ely Cathedral conference centre.The inside of Ely Library at the helpdesk. The fashions are very 60s.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
I still remember my mum buying me a stack of Transformer comics in a jumble sale back in the 80s. It was a slippery slope from there, ending in the literary canon and librarianship (and the occasional TF comic).
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
📚🐺❤️
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
1/2 Sharing takeaways from the Librarians Change Lives event with my team. From Neil MacInnes' advocacy starts with the impacts, to @aminatshah.bsky.social calling for investment in school libraries, to Dr Carla Hayden on how libraries are the great equaliser...
Photo of Oxford building Radcliffe Camera at night, the windows lit from within.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
@bodleianlibraries.bsky.social to celebrate 175 years of public libraries!
A small stage with 3 chairs and TV behind it
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Cherry Hinton Library won an award!
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
The gems you find in the #CambridgeshireCollection #Libraries #LocalStudies 📚
Four small wooden coat of arms. Clockwise from the top right are hand painted coat of arms for the city of Cambridge, the county of Cambridgeshire, the University of Cambridge and Chesterton.
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
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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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
FYI for any UK #Skybrarians 📚
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Fantastic to see my colleagues @cambliblife.bsky.social and @jointhelibrary.bsky.social shortlisted for their innovative, resourceful and passionate work. Both are dedicated servants of the people and a credit to #CambridgeshireLibraries. 📚
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Greeted with a warm welcome @cromwellmuseum.bsky.social, housed in Huntingdon's oldest building. An absolute gem! #LunchtimeAdventure
Exterior photo of Cromwell Museum, an old convert church.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Involved in Digital Inclusion in Libraries? Then join us this afternoon at our meet up. We're going back to basics, talking about the ideas and approaches that work. See you there! 📚🤖 @goodthingsfdn.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/network-me...
eventbrite.co.uk
Network Meet-up: Libraries Digital Inclusion
Eventbrite - National Digital Inclusion Network presents Network Meet-up: Libraries Digital Inclusion - Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - Find event and ticket information.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Popped into The Wren Library @trincolllibcam.bsky.social for a #LunchtimeAdventure.
Interior photo of The Wren Library.
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Luke Oakes @lukeoakes.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Green-fingers all round this year for the Summer Reading Challenge! readingagency.org.uk/the-summer-r...
readingagency.org.uk
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Reposted by Luke Oakes
Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
My cartoon for today’s @guardian books.
Image:
A mother, daughter and young son queue up to borrow books they have chosen from the well-stocked shelves. The figure at the desk gesticulates wildly while saying:
"Wake up, people!! The state is lending you these books to blunt your natural acquisitive urges and keep you compliant!"

Caption:
Due to a typo in the job listing, the vacancy at the public library was filled by a libertarian.
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