The Scottish Library and Information Council joined library sector leaders at the British Academy in London today for the official launch of the Libraries Alliance. The new partnership brings together libraries of all kinds to speak with a single, stronger voice.
The Libraries Alliance has been established to strengthen collaboration across the sector, improve engagement with policymakers and highlight the social, cultural and economic contributions libraries make throughout people’s lives. SLIC is a core member of the Alliance which spans public, school, academic, health, independent and national libraries.
Libraries Through Life
The launch set out a shared vision of ‘libraries through life’ illustrated through short contributions from library staff and users, academics and writers including Bodley’s Librarian Richard Ovenden OBE and novelists Jeanette Winterson CBE and Elif Shafak. A short animation illustrating the ‘libraries through life’ theme was also premiered at the event.
Alison Nolan, SLIC CEO said: “Libraries are fundamental to a fair, informed and connected society, supporting people at every stage of life from early years through to education and employment, and into later life.
“By coming together through the Libraries Alliance, we are strengthening our collective voice and reinforcing the vital role libraries play as trusted civic infrastructure. Collaboration across all types of libraries throughout the UK enables us to better advocate for the sector, share expertise and ensure we continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our communities.
“For SLIC, joining the Libraries Alliance reflects our commitment to partnership working and to championing the impact of libraries across Scotland and beyond. Together, we can build a stronger, more visible and more resilient future for libraries – one that recognises their essential contribution to learning, wellbeing, research and the economy.”
Libraries Alliance
The Libraries Alliance started to form in October 2025 as an umbrella organisation to give the sector ‘one voice’ on the key issues facing libraries. Since then, its membership has been gradually expanding across the library sector. The shared vision of ‘libraries through life’ sets out how libraries support people at every stage of life, as they interact with different types of library including public libraries, school, university, workplace and specialist libraries.
As well as SLIC, other core members of the Libraries Alliance include the National Library of Scotland, The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), Libraries Connected and the School Library Association.
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