Baroness Twycross, the UK's Libraries Minister, delivered a speech at the Libraries Connected Conference in Kenilworth in 2026, underlining the significant contribution of libraries to public life and community cohesion. Speaking to a gathering of sector professionals, the Minister, who has held her portfolio for just over a year, expressed her personal enjoyment of the role and her commitment to supporting library services across the nation.
During her address, Baroness Twycross highlighted several core themes crucial to the sector, including censorship, access, trust, and fostering a love of reading. She also noted the importance of data in effectively advocating for libraries within government. The Minister affirmed that these issues are being actively considered at the heart of government and will form the bedrock of an upcoming national libraries strategy. While hopes were high that the strategy could be launched at the conference, she confirmed it was not quite ready but expressed optimism for its imminent release.
Baroness Twycross reiterated the fundamental importance of libraries, citing examples from a pop-up site in Grimsby to the civic hub of Liverpool Central. She praised the enthusiasm of staff and users, underscoring how libraries contribute to health and wellbeing, business development, and cultural experiences. The Minister also stressed their role in providing trustworthy information in an era of misinformation and in upholding freedom of speech by offering collections that represent a variety of perspectives.
A notable point in her speech was a clear statement against political rhetoric that could have a "chilling effect" on libraries, asserting that these institutions should be inclusive for everyone. She celebrated initiatives like themed displays promoting diversity and 'Libraries Change Lives Week', which supported the National Year of Reading. Furthermore, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had provided a £150,000 funding boost to 72 library authorities, covering 100 locations identified by high deprivation, weak social infrastructure, and low library engagement. This funding aims to extend reading projects and activities.
In addition to the larger funding package, regional winners of the Library of the Year award received a £1,000 cash prize from DCMS, earmarked for continuing local reading projects. The Minister expressed keen interest in observing the impact of these projects throughout 2026 and beyond, particularly in increasing library membership and usage. She concluded by emphasising that the full value of libraries is often only accessible to members, advocating for more people to join and utilise their local services.
The announcement of a forthcoming national strategy suggests a renewed focus on libraries from the government, aiming to provide a clear direction for their future development and funding. The emphasis on data collection also indicates a move towards evidence-based policy-making to demonstrate the tangible benefits of library services.
Source: Libraries Connected Conference 2026