Arup and Designing Libraries Collaboration Press Release

Designing Libraries (DL) has joined forces with global sustainable development consultancy Arup to deliver a landmark research project. The project will identify the capital investment needed to ensure England’s public library estate is fit for the future.

Working in partnership with sector bodies including Libraries Connected, Libraries Rising, CILIP, CLOA and with a grant from Arts Council England, the project will establish the first comprehensive assessment of library capital investment requirements in almost two decades.

The six-month study, due to begin in November 2026, will examine the scale of maintenance backlogs, refurbishment needs and future infrastructure requirements across England’s public libraries. Arup, which recently undertook a similar national study for arts centres, will develop the methodology and lead the analysis. The research aims to answer a question that has become increasingly urgent for the sector: how much investment is needed to ensure library buildings remain safe, sustainable and fit for the communities they serve?

The last national assessment, commissioned by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council in 2006, identified a funding requirement of around £760 million to address maintenance, statutory compliance and modernisation works. Twenty years on, rising costs, ageing buildings and changing service demands mean the true figure is likely to be significantly higher, but no comprehensive national evidence currently exists. 

By providing an up-to-date evidence base, the project will help inform future conversations with government, funders, local authorities and sector stakeholders about sustaining and improving library infrastructure. The findings are also expected to support wider advocacy efforts to secure long-term investment in the public library network.

DL will coordinate engagement across the sector, establishing a steering group, facilitating data collection, and supporting surveys and focus groups with library services. Arup will lead the analytical phase of the project, drawing on its global expertise in asset management, infrastructure planning, lifecycle assessment and capital investment strategy.

Angela Crowther, Director at Arup, said: “Through this partnership, we will create a report that highlights the critical role libraries play in supporting communities and helps build the case for their long-term success.”

Luke Burton, Director Libraries, Arts Council England said, “We are pleased to support this project which will harness Arup and Designing Libraries' experience to help us get a clear understanding of the maintenance backlogs, refurbishment needs and future infrastructure requirements across England’s public libraries. Using proven methodologies and robust outputs, we hope that this work will provide a sound evidence base for us and partners to use when it comes to make the case for future investment in library infrastructure.”

Ayub Khan MBE, Lead for Designing Libraries, said: “This project represents a significant opportunity for the library sector. For too long, conversations about capital investment have taken place without a clear picture of the overall need. By working with Arup and our sector partners, we will create a robust evidence base that can help libraries make the case for investment, ensuring buildings remain vibrant, welcoming and sustainable community assets for generations to come.”

Designing Libraries was formed as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company formed in 2011 (having been in existence since 2004) to act as a gateway to the world of libraries and a source of information and training on all aspects of the design and use of library spaces - the ultimate resource for Library Design and Innovation. It offers a wealth of freely accessible information on new buildings, refurbishments or extensions for all types and sizes of libraries, acting as a one-stop-shop resource for everyone interested in design and innovation in libraries.

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. Between 2023 and 2026 we will have invested over £467 million of public money from Government, alongside an estimated £250 million each year from The National Lottery, to support individual practitioners, arts organisations, museums and libraries, and to help ensure that people in every part of the country have access to culture and creativity in the places where they live. Visit our website to learn more about our work.

Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 18,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to strive for humanity and excellence in everything that we do, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world. Renowned for its collaborative approach and technical excellence, Arup has contributed to some of the world's most iconic and award-winning projects while helping clients create resilient, inclusive and future-ready communities.