13 November 2025
CILIP, the library and information association has today announced the launch of “New Skills for the Future Library Leader”, a new professional development programme designed to equip aspiring and emerging leaders in England’s public libraries with the skills and confidence needed to shape the libraries of tomorrow.
Commissioned by CILIP and funded by Arts Council England, the initiative is a response to the pressing need for leadership renewal within the public library workforce, as the sector prepares for a significant wave of retirements among experienced staff.
The new training aims to empower a new generation of leaders from diverse backgrounds, helping them to influence strategic decisions and align local library services with national and global priorities.
Developed in collaboration with Artefacto, a specialist training provider, the programme comprises two online modules: Digital Skills and Futures Literacy. Together, they address the key themes identified in The Arts Council England’s previously funded Future Libraries project and its 2023 horizon scanning report, “Come Rain or Shine”, which highlighted leadership development, digital access, and futures literacy as critical areas for growth.
The Digital Skills module explores the evolving role of libraries as gateways to digital inclusion, from providing basic digital literacy and information services to engaging with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Participants will learn how to link digital skills development with core library values, including equity, ethics, and inclusion, while contributing to the digital transformation of their services.
Futures Literacy, draws on the UNESCO Futures Literacy framework and the CILIP Future Libraries toolkit to help participants develop agile, forward-looking strategies. Learners will explore how to anticipate and respond to emerging community needs, test strategies against possible future scenarios, and cultivate imagination and creativity as tools for resilience.
Both modules feature an assessment framework to measure participants’ understanding and progress, ensuring tangible learning outcomes. The programme builds on research conducted earlier this year by Evidence to Action, which assessed current training provision and identified key gaps in leadership development within the public library sector. The research recommended linking leadership training to core library values, sharing practical tools for immediate application, and building a community of practice to foster peer support and knowledge exchange.
Luke Burton, Director, Libraries, Arts Council England said, “As the national development agency for public libraries in England, we know how important it is to fund resources to help library leaders acquire the skills to understand new and emerging technology and how it can be used to support their colleagues and local communities. So, I’m pleased to see the New Skills for the Future Library Leader training modules are now being made available. While we understand library leaders need to deal with the immediate concerns and opportunities facing them, it is also essential that they are able to plan effectively for the long term. Libraries and those working in them can be critical to addressing the opportunities and challenges that new technologies bring and which have a role to play in tackling some of the big issues facing society.”
CILIP Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn said: “Public libraries are at the heart of every local community, connecting people to knowledge, creativity, and opportunity. As we navigate an era of rapid technological and social change, strong and forward-thinking leadership is essential. This programme gives emerging leaders the confidence and skills to shape strategies that are both locally relevant and globally informed.”
By investing in the professional growth of new and aspiring leaders, CILIP aims to ensure a future-ready, resilient, and innovative public library workforce, responsive to evolving community needs and championing the enduring values of public service, access, and learning.
www.cilip.org.uk/future-libraries