Library organisations and sources of data

Library professional, policy and information organisations in the UK, and some of the main international library organisations.

ARA (Archives and Records Association): The lead professional body for archivists, archive conservators and records managers in the UK and Ireland.

Archives sector: The website, provided by The National Archives, brings together strategic and practical resources for archives across the country to develop their collections and services and improve the experience of their users.

ARLIS UK & Ireland: The professional organisation for people involved in providing library and information services and documenting resources in the visual arts.

CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals): The leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in the UK and Ireland.

CILIPS: The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) is the Scottish arm of CILIP. This site replaces the web content that previously appeared on Slainte.

JISC: The UK’s expert on information and digital technologies for education and research. JISC can provide expert help and guidance with institutional and cost management, research, the student experience and sustainable futures.

Libraries Connected: Formerly the Society of Chief Librarians, Libraries Connected works to promote the value of libraries, broker national partnerships, share best practice and drive innovation in the sector.

Libraries Taskforce blog: The Taskforce was set up to enable libraries in England to exploit their potential and be recognised as a vital resource for all. On this blog, members of the Taskforce talk about their work.

LIS New Professionals Network: LISNPN is a network for new professionals in the library and information sector, and a place to get help, advice, guidance and information, and participate in the discussion forum.

Museums, archives and libraries (Wales): Welsh Government site for libraries and archives in Wales.

NAG (National Acquisitions Group): The professional organisation for people responsible for or interested in the acquisition, management and development of library resources in libraries of all types.

SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries): The organisation promotes excellence in library services in higher education and national libraries across the UK and Ireland.

SLA (School Library Association): The SLA is committed to supporting everyone involved with school libraries, promoting high quality reading and learning opportunities for all.

WHELF (Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum): WHELF is a grouping of Chief Librarians and Directors of Information Services drawn from all the higher education institutions in Wales. It promotes the work of higher education libraries in Wales and provides a focus for the development of new ideas and services.

ALA (American Library Association): The leadership organisation for library and information services and a world-leading source of information, publications, tools and news for and about the profession.

EBLIDA (European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations): An independent umbrella association of national library, information, documentation and archive associations and institutions in Europe.

IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions): The leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. It has a Library Buildings and Equipment Section.

International Association of School Librarianship: A membership organisation for school library associations, schools, institutions and personal members worldwide. Publishes the journal School Libraries Worldwide.

LIBER: The Association of European Research Libraries. The main research libraries network in Europe.

NAPLE (National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe): An international non-governmental association pursuing the interests of the national library authorities in Europe. Its main aim is to promote principles and strategies for public library policies.

UNESCO Libraries Portal: Provides access to websites of library institutions around the world. It serves as an international gateway to information for librarians and library users and international co-operation in this area.

CIPFA: The primary source of performance data and research in areas of public policy and service delivery, with statistical reports on culture and leisure, archives and public libraries.

England - Library Data: An ongoing open source project linking the Libraries Taskforce basic dataset to other demographic and geographic data.

Libraries and information services in the UK and Republic of Ireland: The essential directory of public and university libraries, addresses and personnel, from Facet Publishing.

Library World Records, 3rd edition: Author Godfrey Oswald describes it as 'the first specific book of its kind to be published in the world covering a wide range of library and book superlatives'.

LISU: An internationally renowned research and information centre for library and information services, based in the Department of Information Science at Loughborough University. It collects, analyses, interprets and publishes statistical information for and about the library domain in the UK, and undertakes research and consultancy projects for a wide range of organisations.

Public libraries in England: basic dataset: A downloadable spreadsheet of static libraries and their addresses, by authority, in England as of 1 July 2016, created by the Libraries Taskforce.

Shining a light: Report and a series of data sheets from the Carnegie Trust on how people in the UK and Ireland use public libraries and what they think of them. Survey data covers the period 2011-2016.

Taking part, 2015-16: Taking Part is a household survey in England. This statistical report measures engagement with the cultural sectors, including libraries and archives. Published July 2016.

UK Public Library Contacts: A downloadable contact database in spreadsheet format listing the UK's 4,039 public libraries and their addresses (2012).

ACE (Association for Cultural Enterprises): Promotes commercial best practice in the cultural, heritage and visitor attraction sector by providing training and networking opportunities.

Arts Council: The Arts Council has assumed the responsibilities for libraries previously undertaken by the MLA.

The British Library: One of the world’s greatest libraries and preservation centres, providing resources and services for librarians, archivists, curators and information scientists.

Guidance on libraries as a statutory service: This guidance, published December 2015, describes the legal duty on local authorities to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service.

National Literacy Trust: The importance of reading for pleasure is a fundamental belief at the National Literacy Trust, who work in partnership with libraries on programmes to target children, young people and families.

Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964: What the Act says (and doesn’t say) about libraries.

The Reading Agency: The advocacy organisation for reading whose programmes link books, libraries, publishers, young people and families.