Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · 7d

We welcome the news that the government have committed to 'providing a library in every primary school’. School Library Services provide a wide range of stock, expertise and resources. They're the most cost-effective model and need to be at the forefront of this important plan.
tinyurl.com/yapr86vd

The overlooked service that could make plans for a library in every primary school in England a reality

Libraries should be an inclusive resource for communities of children with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and learning needs.

tinyurl.com

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · 23d

FEA has launched England's Report Card, which highlights widening gaps & shared goals that will ensure no child’s success is limited by their socioeconomic background

'A child’s early years present the greatest opportunity to impact their life trajectory.'

Libraries have an important role to play

Fair Education Alliance @thefea.bsky.social · 23d

📊 The Fair Education 2025 Report Card is here.

Our 4 priorities:

1️⃣ Mission-driven government
2️⃣ Workforce in underserved areas
3️⃣ Prepare young people for tomorrow
4️⃣ Universalise inclusion

Read the report👉 www.faireducation.org.uk/report-card-...

#FairEducation #ReportCard2025

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · Jul 17

We welcome the commitment to ensuring every primary school in the country has a library by the end of this Parliament.

We look forward to supporting the work of #LibrariesforPrimaries National Literacy Trust & Penguin Random House UK through this important phase of development
tinyurl.com/34z6cyw7

A librarian reads to a group of young pupils in a school library. They are sitting on the floor and on colourful beanbags.

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Reposted by ASCEL

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.bsky.social · Jun 30

As temperatures rise again in the UK, remember that many public #Libraries are 'cool spaces' where people can go to escape the heat.

Find out more about Manchester Libraries' role as 'Cool Spaces'.

manclibraries.blog/cool-spaces/

Cool Spaces

From 1st June until 30th September, most of our libraries will act as ‘cool spaces’ during times when Manchester is experiencing a heatwave – which is when the temperature hits or…

manclibraries.blog

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 19

Congratulations to all the #Carnegies2025 winners and their love for libraries and librarians 🙌 "a library without a librarian is just a room full of books," thank you Nate Lessore!

Now it's time to borrow a copy from your library, settle down in a cool shady place and dive into a new book 📖

CILIP @cilip.bsky.social · Jun 19

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Winners of the @carnegiemedals.bsky.social for Writing and Illustration, and Shadowers' Choice Medals: Margaret McDonald, @natelessore, Theo Parish and Olivia Lomenech Gill! ‏#Carnegies2025

Read the press release: carnegies.co.uk/2025-winners...

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Reposted by ASCEL

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · Jun 17

✨ We are delighted to unveil the #BookTrustStorytime Prize 2026 shortlist! ✨

Here, this year's winner Lucy Rowland introduces the five brilliant titles that will be part of our BookTrust Storytime programme in libraries.

Find out more:

www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...

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Reposted by ASCEL

EmpathyLabUK @empathylabuk.bsky.social · Jun 12

🎉Happy Empathy Day!🎉
Today, we're celebrating the power of reading to build real life empathy. Help us raise an empathy-educated generation. Whose story will you jump into today?
How are you celebrating Empathy Day? Tag us in your photos and stories we’d love to see them!

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Reposted by ASCEL

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.bsky.social · Jun 11

At #LCSeminar2025, @lucybanks.bsky.social spoke about the @ascelnetwork.bsky.social Youth Engagement Network. ASCEL is working with #Libraries across the country to ensure young people's voices are heard within our sector.

Find out more about the pilot phase results here:

ascel.org.uk/node/357

A young woman is seen working in a library.

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 11

Read all about our Youth Engagement Network project tinyurl.com/ynjebmxn

Youth Engagement Network pilot: Research Report |

ASCEL – the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by ASCEL

Iain Moore @iainmoore.bsky.social · Jun 11

Some brilliant outcomes of the youth engagement network here - the approach definitely does work:

Particularly 100% felt listened to - something that’s typically a huge issue for government and gov services

@lucybanks.bsky.social
#LCSeminar2025

Outcomes for young people
• 90% of young people felt more welcome in the library
• 100% felt that their opinions, ideas and feelings were listened to
• 76% said that the co-created activities helped to improve their communication
• 71% gained new knowledge and skills, in digital marketing, creative skills, writing, and library-related knowledge

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Reposted by ASCEL

Iain Moore @iainmoore.bsky.social · Jun 11

Hearing from
@lucybanks.bsky.social
of @ascelnetwork.bsky.social

About their youth engagement network, how it works and what they tell us about libraries

Great fundamentals here on what it’s based on

#LCSeminar2025

Lucy banks standing in front of a slide. The slide shows:

Giving children and young people power in their libraries

Learn something new (Children
Young People and us)

Building cohesion
across libraries
- supporting each other

Co-creating with children and young people

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 11

Congratulations to our member Amy and her team in @hulllibraries.bsky.social Also to the runners up, ASCEL member Jane and her colleagues in Hertfordshire libraires. Well deserved national recognition for our members work creating innovative and inspiring opportunities for children and young people!

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.bsky.social · Jun 10

Congratulations to the Schools #Library Service from @hulllibraries.bsky.social, winner of our Children's Promise Award for 2025!

The Hull School Libraries Service team smiles into the camera.

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Reposted by ASCEL

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.bsky.social · Jun 10

'Public #Libraries have all the apparatus within them to build happiness', @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social told us at #LCSeminar2025.

Thank you Frank for a wonderful endorsement of libraries.

You can read 'Reading Rights' in full here: www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/new...

@booktrust.org.uk

BookTrust and Waterstones Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce…

The Reading Rights report calls on national and local leaders to come together to make reading a part of daily life for every child.

www.booktrust.org.uk

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Reposted by ASCEL

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.bsky.social · Jun 10

We are in Warwickshire for the first day of the Libraries Connected Seminar 2025. Right now we are hearing about some fascinating #Library work including lessons from the @thenationallottery.bsky.social #HeritageFunded Black British Ballet project.

www.librariesconnected.org.uk/2025-annual-...

People are shown speaking at the Libraries Connected Annual Seminar.

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 5

Our members help #LibrariesChangeLives by promoting the life-changing benefits for children who #ReadForPleasure. Our new report found 90% of young people who worked to co-create activities felt more welcome in the library. It's why we promote amplifying young voices.
tinyurl.com/ynjebmxn

A librarian reading with a young boy. They are both sitting at a table and the librarian is reading with actions, hands open wide and a big smile. The little boy has a baseball cap on backwards and is joining in with the story.

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 4

Our trustees give so much to our organisation, without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. A huge thank you to them!

#VolunteersWeek

A group of ASCEL Trustees holding #LibrariesChangeLives posters standing outside the Houses of Parliament, with the Thames and London Eye in the background.

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Reposted by ASCEL

EmpathyLabUK @empathylabuk.bsky.social · Jun 2

🎉And we're off! 🎉
Our brilliant Children’s Laureate @Frank_CottrellBoyce and a whole host of amazing author and illustrator friends taking part in the EmpathyDayFestival share what we have in store for you! Join us - register for your free resources at www.empathylab.uk

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · Jun 2

“Something I didn’t know before is how fun the library is.”

#LibrariesChangeLives for children and young people in so many ways with inspiring, welcoming and inclusive spaces that reduce inequality and improve health and wellbeing. youtu.be/A05s8S9Khsc?...

How libraries change children and young people's lives

YouTube video by ASCEL - amplifying children's voices in libraries

youtu.be

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Reposted by ASCEL

Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.bsky.social · May 28

We are very pleased to announce the successful projects for the third round of our #ACESupported Microgrants programme. You can read more about the exciting projects that #Libraries have planned here:

www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/success...

A female librarian checks something on a computer with a book in her hand.

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · May 27

Our Chief Exec, Tabitha shared learning from our Youth Engagement Network with an international audience at Next Library in Aarhus, Denmark, prompting connection with exciting practices and programmes around the world.
Read about the pilot project here tinyurl.com/ynjebmxn

Tabitha, a white woman with short dark brown hair, wearing a patterned shirt and grey trousers, standing on a stage presenting slides for the Youth Engagement Network.

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Reposted by ASCEL

Tabitha Witherick @tabisw.bsky.social · May 22

Valuable meeting with Baroness Twycross, Libraries Minister, today.

Great to be alongside Isobel ( @ih1968.bsky.social ), @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social and sector partners to talk all things libraries - including the magic for children and young people and the opportunities ahead.

Three people smiling in the street in London

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · May 22

Our Foyle Foundation-funded online learning module SparkSpace needs a co-creative content producer! Do you work co-creatively with children & young people? Do you have expertise in producing visual/ written content to teach & empower others? Deadline for proposals is 13th June, 2025.
bit.ly/4k68Bhl

A smiling young girl wearing a white dress, stands in a library reading an open book.

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · May 21

Highlighting the importance and life-long benefits of reading for pleasure and shared reading for children, from their earliest years. Visiting a library may be the first time a child has access to books, let's make sure every child has that opportunity.
#ReadingRights

BookTrust @booktrust.org.uk · May 21

📢 NEW: Our #ReadingRights report with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social is out now!

It shares 5 focus areas that will turn the tide on reading inequality and unveils plans for our City of Stories place-based pilot:

www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...

The front cover of the Reading Rights report plus the words: "Reading Rights - Books build a brighter future - Read the report". The URL booktrust.org.uk/readingrights and logos for Waterstones Children's Laureate, Arts Council England, and BookTrust

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ASCEL @ascelnetwork.bsky.social · May 19

Huge Congratulations to everyone at Manchester Libraries for this campaign with Blue Peter. Children who #ReadForPleasure can improve their educational outcomes, learn empathy and widen their world view. Reading is a superpower!
#Libraries

The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · May 12

The winner of Library of the Year (sponsored by DK, in association with the Reading Agency) is Manchester Libraries for their Blue Peter Book Club Live✒️

Our judges praised the engagement level for the campaign, with more than 4,600 children attending #Nibbies #BritishBookAwards

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Reposted by ASCEL

CILIP @cilip.bsky.social · May 14

‪
🌞The sun is shining over Parliament as our CEO @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social heads over to the Westminster Hall debate: Future of public libraries tabled by Jonathan Davies MP. Now live on Parliament Live TV: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

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