In October 2025, we launched a new Community of Practice (CoP) for public and prison library staff in the UK. This initiative was pioneered by the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network, with support from the CILIP Prison Libraries Group and the University of Sheffield. We see it as an exciting first step in deepening collaboration between public and prison libraries to better serve communities impacted by incarceration. The CoP is intended to be a participatory and collaborative forum to promote discussion between public and prison libraries, to share ideas and to develop positive, proactive relationships.
The first online event took place over lunch time and was attended by approximately 30 people working across both sectors. Katherine Blamire, Head of the Living Knowledge Network, kicked off the session by discussing the goals of the CoP and motivations behind setting it up. Victoria Barnett and Jayne Finlay then gave a short presentation outlining the potential benefits of collaboration between public and prison libraries and discussing some examples of excellent work already happening in the UK and around the world. You can download the presentation slides below.
Using an online whiteboard, participants then contributed their ideas and experiences around the following three questions:
Many innovative existing collaborative activities were noted, including:
- Interlibrary loans and stock sharing
- Reciprocal training between public and prison library teams
- Prison based reading groups
- Artwork or creative writing of people in prison showcased in public libraries
- Participating in the Summer Reading Challenge and Reading Ahead
- Author events
- Sharing cultural content and exhibition materials
This is only a snippet of the examples shared – it was exciting to hear about all the great work already taking place!
Alongside the successes, participants also spoke honestly about the barriers that make collaboration difficult. Unsurprisingly, many of these comments were around a lack of funding, limited training opportunities and pressures on staff time. It was noted that there is often limited awareness among public library staff of the operational realities and security restrictions inside prisons. We hope this Community of Practice becomes a space to discuss ways of library staff working together to address some of the barriers noted, to share good practice with each other, to make new connections and to encourage each other in the work that we do.
The event ended on a hopeful note, with attendees noting the wide range of opportunities that collaboration could lead to, such as sharing staff skills, training and capacity. Within prisons, collaboration would increase access to shared stock and existing public library initiatives, as well as extending digital access (pending IT approval!) A key benefit would be strengthening community connections, signposting to community services and a continuity of support during and after release from prison. The importance of co-creating services with prison library users to give them agency and voice was also highlighted. As one participant noted, there are ‘endless opportunities’.
The next CoP online event takes place on Wednesday 28th January from 12pm – 1pm. Please get in touch with Katherine Blamire at the British Library if you are interested in being added to a mailing list to receive more information about this and future events: Katherine.Blamire@bl.uk
We’re excited to see where this growing community will lead and we would love you to be a part of it!
