Libraries Connected
At a glance
Key takeaways
- If you run a public library in England, its Microgrants, which are stated as £1,000 to £5,000 for small projects or the early stages of larger initiatives, are the programme to look at.
- Organisations other than public libraries in England are excluded from the Microgrants, so other kinds of group should not apply.
- The charity states that it funded 40.3% of requests (27 of 67), so a relevant and reasonable application is worth the effort, since each one is considered individually at its meetings.
- No application process is published and no timing is given, so ask the charity how and when to apply before you write.
Overview
Libraries Connected is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1176482).
Libraries Connected is an independent charity that supports, promotes and represents public library services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies. It was established as the Society of Chief Librarians and took its current name when it became an Arts Council England Sector Support Organisation and a registered charity. Its annual giving is £1,107,497, and its Microgrants programme, funded by Arts Council England, awards grants of £1k-5k.
What they fund
Priority Areas
Libraries Connected supports, promotes and represents public libraries across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies. Its membership-led work brings library services together to share experience, expertise and evidence, and includes practical support, training, advice and national projects with cultural, academic and corporate partners. Its Microgrants programme awarded grants to public libraries in England, including prison and school libraries run by public library services, for small-scale projects or the early stages of larger initiatives such as community engagement or consultation. It has also managed funding to library services in disadvantaged areas across England for projects developing volunteering and tackling loneliness. Its approach includes testing ideas, piloting new approaches and building capacity across the public library sector.
Themes
- Public libraries
Geographic Focus
The United Kingdom; England.
What they don't fund
- Microgrants only: Organisations other than public libraries in England, including prison and school libraries run by public library services
How to apply
Applicants submit a relevant and reasonable application. Management considers each application individually at its meetings and decides on the most deserving recipients.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
- England
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to Libraries Connected.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 March 2021 | £1,646,880 | £1,224,864 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2021 |
| year to 31 March 2022 | £1,513,847 | £1,234,576 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2022 |
| year to 31 March 2023 | £2,340,961 | £1,358,303 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2023 |
| year to 31 March 2024 | £1,862,192 | £2,170,161 | £925,133 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2024 |
| year to 31 March 2025 | £2,714,195 | £2,674,165 | £1,107,497 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
Grants paid stayed within income across the 2 years shown.
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2024; year to 31 March 2025: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
— No grants figure for those years.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- librariesconnected.org.uk
- librariesconnected.org.uk/index.php/about-us · read on 30 October 2026
- librariesconnected.org.uk/projects/microgrants · read on 30 October 2026
- librariesconnected.org.uk/contact-us · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 March 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to Libraries Connected?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- 0333 038 3132source
- info@librariesconnected.org.uksource
- Libraries Connected Mailbox 1201 Maggie O'Neill Business and Training Centre 433 Liverpool Road Huyton Liverpool L36 8HTsource
- librariesconnected.org.uk
Applying to Libraries Connected?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- 0333 038 3132source
- info@librariesconnected.org.uksource
- Libraries Connected Mailbox 1201 Maggie O'Neill Business and Training Centre 433 Liverpool Road Huyton Liverpool L36 8HTsource
- librariesconnected.org.uk