Our strategy

“In this unsettling world, the global ecosystem of libraries, including ours, has a newly important role to play. Long before the internet, libraries were the original distributed information network, resilient and quietly powerful, connected not so much by technology but by a shared mission and set of values. Those values include a commitment to support the practice of serious research and learning for anyone who walks through our door or uses our services: the methodical process of identifying sources, verifying facts, and building knowledge.

Knowledge matters. The title of our new statement of vision reflects an awareness that fundamental ideas such as these must never be taken for granted, and need reinterpretation with each generation. It also reflects a sense of excitement and determination about our role: these are global challenges, and as one of the world’s great libraries we are determined to play our part.”

Dame Carol Black, Chair

Our mission

We make our intellectual heritage accessible to everyone, for research, inspiration and enjoyment

Our big themes between now and 2030

Access, engagement and inclusion

Ensuring that the services we offer, and the collection we hold, are truly ‘for everyone’.

Modernising our library services

Investing in skills, processes, systems and capabilities to deliver the quality of library services our users deserve.

Deepening our partnerships

Collaborating with libraries and memory institutions of all kinds across the UK and around the world, to achieve more than we ever could by ourselves.

Sustainability and climate change

Reducing our carbon impact and collaborating with partners to create a more sustainable future.

Read our sustainability and climate change strategy summary (PDF, 4.9MB) or our full sustainability and climate change strategy (PDF, 4.3MB).

New spaces, North and South

In Yorkshire and in London, delivering new, world-class physical spaces designed to welcome future generations of visitors and users.