Congratulations to St Helens Borough Council, which has been formally recognised by Arts Council England after achieving the highest level of assessment under the national Libraries Development Framework.
Following a detailed assessment by an independent panel, St Helens Libraries (which includes Newton-le-Willows Library) were praised for demonstrating a strong and effective understanding of all four areas of the Framework, alongside a clear commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and community impact.
The Libraries Development Framework is a national framework administered by Arts Council England, designed to support library services in meeting the evolving needs of their communities while fostering consistency and best practice across the country. Acceptance into the Framework recognises services that can evidence leadership, strong values and forward-looking delivery.
Cllr Sue Murphy MBE, Cabinet Member for Localities Culture and Heritage, said: “This recognition from Arts Council England is a fantastic achievement for our library service and a testament to the dedication, creativity and professionalism of our staff. Our libraries play a vital role at the heart of our communities, supporting learning, wellbeing and access to opportunities for residents of all ages. Achieving ‘Strong Met’ status shows our commitment to continually developing our services so they meet local needs now and into the future.”
In its decision, the panel highlighted the breadth of impactful examples provided by St Helens Libraries, reflecting work across:
- People – understanding and responding to local needs, using data to shape services, and engaging residents who face the greatest barriers
- Place – aligning library services with local priorities and building effective partnerships
- Purpose – demonstrating clear vision, leadership and innovative use of resources
- Policy and Practice – embedding library values, workforce development and sector guidance into everyday delivery
The panel concluded that St Helens Libraries showed a clear commitment to ongoing development and best practice, confirming the service’s place within the Framework.
Acceptance onto the Libraries Development Framework means St Helens Library Service can support the advocacy of the value of libraries both locally and nationally. The service will also continue to receive ongoing advice and development support from Arts Council England.
St Helens Borough Council remains committed to ensuring its libraries continue to play a vital role in supporting learning, wellbeing, digital access and community life across the borough.