About Us

Who we are

The Living Knowledge Network is a growing partnership of national and public libraries united by a shared mission: to support libraries as beacons in their communities – spaces of discovery, dialogue and inspiration. We believe libraries are powerful catalysts for curiosity, creativity and connection, nurturing people at every stage of life.

Founded by the British Library in 2016, in collaboration with the National Libraries of Scotland and Wales, the Network convenes over 30% of UK library services – bringing collaborative exhibitions and events directly to people through the libraries on their doorsteps.

Our cultural programmes amplify local voices and uncover the extraordinary stories held within national and regional collections. Our projects spark new partnerships, celebrate diverse histories and deepen engagement between libraries and the communities they serve.

We support and bring together library staff and share their rich knowledge and experience and connect strategic leaders, to drive new ways for national and public libraries to work together more meaningfully.

Our programmes

  • Exhibitions
    A yearly panel exhibition supporting impactful local cultural programming, staff skills development and profile raising for your library service.
  • Events
    Access to an archive of over 150 events, as well as exclusive livestreams, nationwide quizzes and brand partnerships.
  • Staff support
    Skills development and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange through our webinars, communities of practice, informal check-ins and workshops.

Showcasing inspiring exhibitions and collections

Our exhibitions support libraries to explore a range of diverse themes in ways that are unique to each community. Linked to major exhibitions at the British Library in London. past displays have included Unearthed: The Power of Gardening, Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music and Fantasy: Realms of Imagination.

Members tour the exhibition to multiple libraries over a two-year period, providing an opportunity for libraries to showcase local collections and programme a range of events.

Staff development is key and partners are supported every step of the way through our regular check-ins, knowledge-sharing sessions and consistent support provided by our team.

These exhibitions have a proven history of sparking new and lasting partnerships, and can act as a foundation for funding bids. They widen access to culture, deepen links with existing service users and increase meaningful engagement with new communities.

Engaging events in libraries

We bring world-class speakers, emerging voices and inspirational debate to public libraries and the people who use them. Partner libraries have access to a year-round programme of high-quality live-streamed events, as well as our extensive digital archive, enabling libraries to host events at any time to suit their staff resource and opening hours. Our team is on hand to support with the technicalities and build confidence in hosting and marketing events to attract new audiences to libraries.

Drawn from the British Library’s own events programme, recent speakers have included Eddie Grant, Nigella Lawson, Jordan Stephens, Sir Ian Livingstone, George the Poet, Richard Osman, Moira Stuart, Ian Hislop and Dolly Parton.

Partners also receive event packages, including resources to help create workshops and quizzes with bespoke literary prizes.

We partner with other like-minded organisations, including the BBC and Hay Festival, to bring a wider range of free content to libraries to attract audiences that may not have the opportunity to attend events, including exclusive streams from literary festivals and author talks.

Empowering library staff

Our webinar programmes focus on enhancing meaningful engagement between library staff and the communities they serve, capsule sessions explore themes including audience development and accessibility.

We bring together library staff at all levels and provide opportunities for skills and knowledge exchange among library staff to enhance professional development. Through our programme of webinars, workshops, communities of practice and regular online drop-in sessions, we facilitate learning, connections and support library professionals to deliver great experiences for their users.

Measuring Success

We embed evaluation and impact reporting into all our programmes at each stage of development. An annual independent report is commissioned to explore the depth of engagement of our exhibitions and events. We provide robust data and analysis to support partners in demonstrating their impact to stakeholders and decision-makers. We explore new methodologies to improve data collection and promote libraries as destinations for information exchange, cultural opportunities and learning for their communities.

Using these findings, we work to showcase the hyper-local impact of libraries, working closely with both British Library teams and LibraryOn (the digital front door to libraries) to highlight the exceptional work and showcase examples of personal impact to the public, the wider sector and decision-makers.

Working together for greater impact

Being part of the Network allows library leaders a chance to come together to develop new ideas for strategic collaboration and share priorities, challenges and opportunities.

Our quarterly Steering Group and strategic meetings provide the opportunity for library leaders to take an active role in determining our priorities and to help shape the relationship between national and public libraries to the benefit of the wider sector.

Being part of the LKN makes us create meaningful exhibitions and brings our collections to life.

Glasgow

It’s the collective power of the network. Because you're tapping into like this team, you can see what's going on around the country.

Library Staff

Reach

  • Over 800,000 people engaged with Unearthed LKN displays and events across the UK between May – August 2025
  • 85% of libraries have already developed or are planning new green initiatives. 75% of libraries are already making use of outdoor library spaces in new ways or are planning to do so.
  • 94% of staff said they expect to continue working with their new partners.

    I think that the LKN has really inspired us to look for and create opportunities to work with external partners and put on more exhibitions and events to attract a wider audience and provide new experiences for our current users that they may not usually be exposed to.

    Library Staff, Surrey

Get in touch

Contact living.knowledge@bl.uk to find out more or join. Members contribute a £2,500 annual subscription which helps us deliver this impactful work in communities.