Booking now open for London Libraries Conference 2026!
We’re delighted to welcome you to the annual London Libraries Conference this autumn — a flagship event showcasing the creativity, ambition and impact of London’s public library services.
Each year, the conference brings together colleagues from across the capital to explore the ideas, innovations and partnerships shaping the future of our sector. Whether you’re a senior leader, librarian, development officer, digital specialist, partner organisation or part of a frontline team, this is your space to connect, learn and be inspired.
Join us for a day packed with:
- Thought‑provoking speakers championing bold, fresh thinking
- Interactive workshops sharing best practice from library teams and partners
- Networking and collaboration across London’s library community
- Innovative projects and success stories from across the capital
We’re delighted to announce our keynote speaker is acclaimed writer and broadcaster Michael Rosen – opening the conference with a rousing keynote and joining our panel of reading supporters.
Each London borough receives two free places for library staff (to be booked by a Head of Service or their nominated person). Additional places can be purchased for teams – with ticket prices kept low, this is the best value training for library staff in London.
Programme
9.30–10.00
Coffee, registration and book signing
10.00–10.10
Welcome by the Chair of London Libraries
Fiona Tarn
10.15–10.25
Welcome from Southwark
Toni Ainge, Director of Leisure (Southwark Council)
10.30–10.55
Keynote presentation
Michael Rosen
11.00–11.25
Coffee break and book signing
11.25–11.30
Sponsor flash film
11.30–12.15
Reading the Future panel discussion
Luke Burton (Arts Council), Katherine Blamire (British Library), Debbie Hicks (Reading Agency), Michael Rosen, Lily Staunton-Howe (National Literacy Trust), Sheila Bennett (DCMS), and Clare Harrison (GLA)
12.20–1.20
Lunch and networking
1.25–1.40
Performance Poets
1.45–2.15
Libraries for Living: Designing and Delivering a New Strategy for London Libraries
Lucy Shaw and Miki Lentin (Cultural Oxford Associates)
2.15–2.20
Sponsor flash film
2.25–3.10
Breakout workshops
- Making the Case for Reading: Using the Why Reading Matters Toolkit Locally
- Developing a Responsible Approach to AI in Public Libraries
- Designing Reading Habits at Scale: What Read On and London Verse teach us about behaviour, data and impact
- Libraries for Living: Putting the Plan into Action – Exploring Practical Ideas for Implementation
- Collaborating to Support Londoners and Open Up Opportunities
3.15–3.40
Tea and coffee break
3.45–4.10
Ignite Presentations
4.15–4.25
Closing thoughts from the room
Praveen Manghani
Sponsors
Askews
Providing a first-class book supply service across the Adult and Children’s public library market, Askews is the largest supplier of books and multimedia in the Adult and Children’s public library market.
Princh
Princh is a self-service printing, copying and scanning solution designed specifically for (and with) public libraries. Princh allows libraries to make printing simple and secure for everyone.About Michael Rosen
Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s best loved writers and performance poets for children and adults. His first degree was from Wadham College, Oxford and he went on to study for an MA and a PhD. He is currently Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London where he co-devised and teaches an MA in Children’s Literature.
Michael is also a popular broadcaster and has presented BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed programme about language, “Word of Mouth” since 1998, as well as regularly presenting documentary programmes for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3, including the Sony Gold Award-winning “On Saying Goodbye”.
Michael has published in the region of 200 books for children and adults, including “The Sad Book” with Quentin Blake (Walker Books) – a meditation on bereavement written after the loss of his son, Eddie; “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” with Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books) – made into an animated film for Channel 4 broadcast Christmas Day 2016 - and “A Great Big Cuddle” with Chris Riddell (Walker Books) . His poetry for adults includes “Don’t Mention the Children” (Smokestack) and “Selected Poems” (Penguin). Non-fiction work for adults includes “Good Ideas: How to Be Your Child’s (and Your Own) Best Teacher” (John Murray), “The Disappearance of Emile Zola, Love, Literature and the Dreyfus Case” (Faber), and his memoir “So They Call You Pisher!” (Verso).
He has written a book for children and teachers on writing poetry ‘What is Poetry?’ (Walker Books) and has done three booklets for teachers on writing and reading. These are available through his website www.michaelrosen.co.uk . He writes up a monthly news page on the website and a blog for teachers giving ideas for writing.
Michael writes a monthly open “letter” to the Secretary of State for Education in The Guardian where he critiques Government policy on schools from the standpoint of a parent. He visits schools, teachers’ conferences and university teacher training departments where he is in demand to give performances, workshops and keynote addresses. He also appears regularly at literary festivals all over the UK and Ireland.
Michael has received several honorary awards, including degrees from the Open University, the University of Exeter, the University of London Institute of Education and the University of East London/Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. For outstanding contribution to children’s literature he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award and was Children’s Laureate 2007-2009. In recognition of his contribution to the profile of French culture in the UK, he was made Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
His YouTube Channel ‘Kids’ Poems and Stories with Michael Rosen’ has had over 55 million views.
Conference Speakers
Fiona Tarn
Fiona Tarn has worked in the libraries sector for 36 years. Working in public and further education college libraries. She is proud to be the Chair of London Libraries. Having worked in 7 London Boroughs during her public library career, she enjoys the variety of developing library services to support residents. Fiona’s current role is Head of Libraries in Camden which is a vibrant place to work and allows a focus on libraries and the local studies and archive service.
Praveen Manghani
Praveen is a senior strategic manager and library and information professional with over 30 years public library and local government management experience. Extensive knowledge of the current developments, trends and issues in libraries, heritage, archives and wider culture & council services. Praveen has been managing Library & Heritage services in Southwark Council since 2016, with previous roles including Head of Libraries in Lambeth Council, Strategic Libraries Manager in Sutton Council and Reading Development roles in Meron and Richmond. In addition to library work, Praveen also runs a community arts organisation specialising in poetry, music and cabaret performance.
Toni Ainge
Toni began her career in local government as a Management Trainee at the London Borough of Bromley. After a short spell in the private sector, where she developed her skills in a fast-paced, financially focused business environment, and two years at Sport England working on the National Sports Centre portfolio, she returned to local government as Head of Leisure at Bexley Council. There, her portfolio expanded to include parks, community safety and libraries, and she led a number of library innovation programmes, including a shared back-office library service and the implementation of one of the first community management programmes. In 2003, Toni left Bexley as Assistant Director to join Southwark as Director of Leisure, where her remit includes parks, a marina, bereavement services, leisure, culture and events, youth services, heritage services, and oversight of the borough’s busy, popular and vibrant library service.
Candide Kirk
Candide Kirk is a product designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Novellic, a digital reading platform focused on helping readers discover books, build reading habits, and connect through shared reading experiences. With more than 20 years’ experience in creative technology and software development, she specialises in designing products that support reading for pleasure and community engagement around books. Candide has led the development of the Novellic app and the Read On app for London Libraries, working closely with publishers, libraries, book charities and literacy organisations to create engaging and accessible digital experiences for readers. Alongside her work in publishing technology, she previously co-founded an independent games studio and has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary product teams, securing funding, and delivering digital products to international audiences.
Dr Carina Spaulding
Carina is Head of Research & Evaluation at The Reading Agency, a UK charity working to inspire personal and social change through the proven power of reading. Since 2018, she has led the charity’s research portfolio and reading strategy development activity. Carina and her team undertake original and commissioned projects, speaking to people across the UK to understand the barriers and enablers to reading and the mechanisms for reading as a tool for change. Prior to working at The Reading Agency, Carina held roles at higher education institutions across the UK, including University College London and Royal Holloway University. She completed a PhD in English and American Studies from The University of Manchester in 2013.
Carl Stevens
Carl Stevens is a senior manager in Arts Council England’s New Technologies and Innovation team, where he leads work to help arts organisations, museums and libraries build their digital skills and capacity. He has been central to the development of digital initiatives including the Digital Culture Network and the Digital Accelerator programme and is supporting the responsible use of artificial intelligence within the arts council and across the cultural sector. Passionate about digital inclusion, Carl also leads work to ensure that everyone can benefit from the opportunities that technology offers.
Clare Harrisson
Clare Harrison works at the Greater London Authority, leading on strategic communications and coordination across children and young people, social policy, and health. Her work focuses on supporting the Mayor to tell Londoners and stakeholders about how we are tackling inequality and expanding opportunities for young people. Clare has spent nearly eight years at City Hall, building a strong track record in collaborative, cross-organisational working and storytelling. Prior to this, she served as a local government councillor and worked within the trade union movement. She has a particular interest in strengthening collaboration across institutions, addressing disinformation, and promoting accessible, transparent government that empowers people to feel informed and engaged in civic life.
Debbie Hicks
Debbie Hicks is a founder member of The Reading Agency, a national charity that inspires personal and social change through the proven power of reading. She is the Charity’s creative director leading programme innovation and delivery as well as supporting strategy development. She is a passionate reading and library activist with over thirty years’ experience in the field. She has played a leading role in reading research, strategy and programme creation for all ages. She was awarded an MBE in 2019 for her work in reading development.
Katherine Blamire
Katherine is Head of the Living Knowledge Network (LKN) at the British Library. LKN is a Network of 33 library authorities across the UK. Through a programme including exhibitions, live streams and events the LKN works to enhance meaningful engagement between libraries and their communities, democratise access to culture, collections, and information and support library staff. Katherine is passionate about libraries as important spaces for sharing culture and supporting healthy and connected communities. LKN’s most recent exhibition, Unearthed the Power of Gardening, engaged over 830,000 people. LKN champions the role of libraries as connectors and conveners, contributing to the cultural ecosystems of local communities.Katherine co-chairs a prison and public library community of practice which has over 60 members and is extending the LKN’s cultural programmes to prison libraries; with the aim of increasing collaboration across the sector, raising awareness of the role public libraries can play in supporting those leaving prison.
Lily Staunton-Howe
Lily is Regional Lead for the National Year of Reading (South) at the National Literacy Trust. She brings experience in strengthening community power and decision making through delivering large-scale arts engagement programmes at Creative People and Places and partnerships and legacy at Local Trust.
Lucy Shaw
Lucy is Founder and Director of Cultural Associates Oxford, a creative company delivering strategic leadership, organisational change, workforce diversity and inclusive engagement work with clients around the world. She is also an Associate Fellow at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and Programme Director for the Strategic Leadership Programme, working with senior global executives in immersive leadership development.Previously, Lucy led major partnership, engagement and leadership initiatives across the University of Oxford’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums, including launching Oxford Cultural Leaders. She is also a trustee of Neon Dance, an internationally recognised dance company, and is a qualified performance coach and action learning set facilitator.
Luke Burton
Luke Burton has been Director, Libraries at Arts Council England since November 2022 where he works on projects, advocacy and partnership building as part of the Arts Council’s role as the national development agency for public libraries in England. Prior to his current role he worked in public and prison libraries. He began his career working in local studies in Gateshead and prison libraries across County Durham before becoming a librarian in Newcastle in 2010. He spent 12 years in Newcastle in various roles including managing their Business & IP Centre and leading on digital projects as Digital Development Manager, before becoming Service Manager in 2019, leading the team there through the Council’s Covid response. He is passionate about the value and role of libraries with a particular interest in emerging technologies, literacies, data and reading for pleasure.
Miki Lentin
Miki Lentin is a senior cultural consultant with more than 20 years’ experience across culture, heritage and the creative industries. He runs an independent consultancy and also works with Cultural Associates Oxford. Previously Head of Corporate Affairs at the British Library, he led corporate strategy, communications, marketing, content production, public policy and community engagement, building on an earlier career in public relations across the private sector.He is particularly interested in the role cultural organisations play in their cities and communities, and created the Knowledge Quarter in King’s Cross, London, to strengthen collaboration between major cultural, academic, research and science institutions. Since 2019 he has advised clients including Royal Museums Greenwich, the Houses of Parliament heritage collections and Manchester Literature Festival, and has delivered international workshops on cultural leadership, policy development, entrepreneurship and risk. Miki is also a faculty member of Oxford Cultural Leaders, a published writer, and serves as a trustee, school governor and writing mentor.
Sheila Bennett
Sheila has more than 20 years’ experience in local government, leading both frontline services and corporate decision-making. In 2012 she moved into central government, joining the Government Digital Service, where she helped write the 2012 Government Digital Strategy and the 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy, and assessed a wide range of major public-facing services.
In 2015 she became policy lead for the Libraries Taskforce, where she wrote the Ambition Strategy and a range of strategic toolkits. After serving as interim CEO in 2018, she went on to lead the DCMS Public Libraries Team, with responsibility for sponsorship of the British Library and The National Archives, Public Lending Right, wider libraries policy, and advice to the Secretary of State on the public library network in England.
Sheila is also a passionate and regular library user and credits her daughters’ love of libraries to the inspiring children’s library staff they grew up with.
Wes White
Wes White is a Library Development Officer for Adults with Southwark Libraries and Heritage. From 2020 to 2023, he led on the Poetic Map series, inviting local and global poets to share work on the themes of ‘Freedom’, ‘Reading’ and ‘Music’. Wes is also a prize-winning poet in his own right; writing as Wes Viola with recent work published in Obsessed With Pipework, Eunoia Review, Eternal Haunted Summer, The Winged Moon, Shark Lit and The Morning Star.Showcase your library service at this year’s London Libraries Conference.
The Ignite & Inspire session at the London Libraries conference is your opportunity to shine – we’re celebrating the most inspiring, innovative, and impactful work from library teams across London and we want your projects in the spotlight!
We’re looking for projects that champion:
- Books & Reading
- Digital & Information
- Culture & Creativity
- Health & Wellbeing
- Children & Young People
- Accessibility
Take the stage!
In our Ignite and Inspire presentations, you’ll have 5 minutes to present your project to inspire hundreds of colleagues to try something similar in their own services.
This is your chance to:
✨ Share your success
✨ Celebrate your team