Libraries and Young People

What should young people expect library services to offer?

The National Youth Libraries Board is a strategic partnership of organisations working with libraries and young people, from central government, the public and voluntary sector. The Board has identified what young people should be able to expect their local library service to offer:

 Libraries and Young People (PDF31KB)

This ‘offer’ statement is based on extensive research, consultation and best practice developed through the Fulfilling their Potential programme, HeadSpace and other best practice working. It represents a national aspiration. The National Libraries Board hopes the offer will challenge libraries to look again at the services they offer to young people and demonstrate libraries’ role in achieving better outcomes for young people.

The offer was launched at a national conference on 29th January 2008, run jointly by the Local Government Association and The Reading Agency. A new thinking report document based on the conference and offer will be published by The Reading Agency in May.

Resources to support the library offer to young people

The National Youth Libraries Board has developed resources for heads of library services and ASCEL members to use for local planning and strategic advocacy. Strategic resources, including an adaptable PowerPoint presentation for use with senior local authority stakeholders such as Directors of Children’s Services, are available to download at  http://www.readingagency.org.uk/young/library-offer-to-young-people/

About the National Youth Libraries Board

Framework for the Future identified a need to invest in a major change programme around public libraries and young people. This investment resulted in the Fulfilling their Potential programme, launched in 2004 and led by The Reading Agency (TRA) and the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL)

Since Fulfilling their Potential was launched there have been major new policy developments around children and young people.  Therefore in spring 2006 the National Youth Libraries Board was established to champion the role of libraries in delivering against these key government agendas particularly Every Child Matters, Youth Matters, and the new DCSF 10 Year Youth strategy, Aiming High.

Membership of the National Youth Libraries Board:

The Board is chaired by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and is managed by The Reading Agency. Other members are: the Society of Chief Librarians, MLA Yorkshire, the Local Government Association, the Department for Children, Schools and Families; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; the National Youth Agency; the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians; the Head of Community Learning and Development at Norfolk Children’s Services. The National Youth Libraries Board has also consulted the UK Youth Parliament in the English regions. This briefing document has more information:

  National Youth Libraries Board (PDF51KB)

For further information about the National Youth Libraries Board and the Offer, contact Claire Styles, Senior Project Manager at The Reading Agency: claire.styles@readingagency.org.uk