Essex libraries accepted onto first ever national development framework

Essex libraries accepted onto first ever national development framework

The Essex Library Service has ‘strongly met’ the criteria to join the national Libraries Development Framework

The new framework is a competitive accreditation by Arts Council England. It supports public libraries to innovate, meet community needs and strengthen consistency across the sector.

Essex County Council applied for the accreditation in July 2025 to support its libraries’ commitment to continuous improvement, best practice and innovation.

The assessment panel praised the council for ‘providing a broad range of impactful examples displaying a commitment to innovation and development’. This included an ‘effective understanding of the four sections of the framework’:

•            People – understanding our community and local needs

•            Place – creating local impact and responding to priorities

•            Purpose – clear vision, leadership, and effective use of resources

•            Policy & Practice – upholding library values and developing our workforce

Essex County Council will now be involved in national professional networks to support and promote the framework in the future.

Luke Burton, Director of Libraries at Arts Council England, said: “Congratulations to the first library services joining the framework. This milestone reflects the sector’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring libraries meet the changing needs of their communities.”

Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for the Arts, Heritage and Culture at Essex County Council, said: “It is an honour to be involved with the formative days of this new national framework, which aims to help libraries across the country improve their services and make the sector more consistent. It is also testament to the innovation and commitment of our own Essex Library Service.

“Many libraries across Essex have evolved into community hubs, offering a range of community services and support as well as the core purpose of reading and learning opportunities. Our libraries have grown in popularity as a result, and we are very proud of the work of our library staff.

“There is much need for a Libraries Development Framework in England and I look forward to working with Arts Council England and other library services over the coming months.”