It seems very approporiate to post about the new Living Knowledge Network on #Followalibrary day. This new network is a nationwide partnership between three national libraries and 21 major libraries in cities and towns across the UK, with a shared commitment to openness, creativity and innovation. 

Living Knowledge Network steering group members at their first meeting at the British Library, 16 September 2016. Photo credit: Antony Grant, British Library Imaging Services.

Funded by Arts Council England and the British Library for a two-year pilot period, the Living Knowledge Network aims to:

• Enable knowledge exchange – strengthening libraries’ collective ability to deliver world-class library services to diverse communities;
• Develop joint offerings for library users – collaborating on programmes and activities;
• Form a powerful partnership – working together on funding applications, evidence gathering and to activity with a combined audience of 13 million.

We believe that the Living Knowledge Network is unique in the UK, bringing together the very best of national and city libraries in a new partnership for our users and a new collaboration between professionals. 

David Potts, Head of Library Recources, Birmingham City Council,  Neil MacInnes, Strategic Lead - Libraries, Galleries and Culture, Manchester City Council and Alison Wheeler, Chief Executive, Suffolk's Libraries Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) networking at the steering group meeting.

The network draws inspiration from the demonstrable successces British Library’s Business and IP Centre Network as well as the formidable learning and innovation from Kings Cross’s Knowledge Quarter.  Pilot activities such as the recent live-streaming of our John Lydon event to public libraries in Exeter and Middlesborough have highlighted the potential for extending the reach of what we do far beyond St Pancras or Boston Spa, and delivering exciting new offerings for audiences around the UK in the process.

We are very excited about what we can achieve by working in partnership- follow us on @BL_LivingKnow to find out more.

Roly Keating

Chief Executive