New ahead-of-print article: Dresden's public libraries named Library of the Year 2025. Henriette Mehn explores why Dresden's library system was honored for its everyday excellence, community outreach, and sustainable innovations. #PublicLibraries #LibraryoftheYear #Germany
doi.org/10.1515/bfp-...
🏆 Celebrate library excellence!
Nominate for Library of the Year & Innovative Program or Service awards, honoring leadership, creativity & community impact.
Submit today ➡️ https://www.flalib.org/fla-2026-awards
#FLAAwards #LibraryOfTheYear #InnovationInLibraries #CelebrateSuccess
@GLL_UK @wandbc @CEP_Wandsworth @RoehamptonVoice @WBCYouthService @PutneyFleur @wtowandsworth @WandsworthMayor @libsconnected @CILIP_YLG_SE & all the lovely team @RoehamptonL…here’s to creating a ✨magical✨ 2025 together! 💙📚💚 #LibraryOfTheYear
Has it been easy? Nope!
Has it nearly broken me? Multiple times across multiple areas!
Has it always led to higher issues/ footfall? Not always!
Has it created a space for growth, inclusion, support, exploration, curiosity & literacy rich joy? ABSOLUTELY!
The kids deserve it 🥰 #LibraryOfTheYear
There’s so much in the works for #RoehamptonLibrary in ‘25.
There’s the epic #GLLLiteraryFoundation, a wealth of Author visits, Borough of Culture, groundbreaking proposals with HUGE impacts on imprisoned families/ New Arrivals and MUCH more!
#LibrariesChangeLives 📚 #LibraryOfTheYear
5. CYP Programme
After the success I had at Downham Library, I wanted to carry on #TheBiggerPicture project, but make it wider & more holistic.
We have a weekly club, workshops, digital events & attended the #ScholasticGraphicNovelPrize awards! 🖤 #LibraryOfTheYear
5. CYP Programme
For our Over 5’s we have #ImagineersClub, #TheStorySociety, #GamesNight & a plethora of creative well-being & self expression!
I don’t have photos of our Yoga & Movement Classes or some of larger attended activities because we’re all ‘in the moment!’ to 📸😂 #LibraryOfTheYear
5. CYP Programme
I’ve completely revamped our offerings to cater for all ages & creative interests.
We now run a full programme bursting with library magic!
We’re @booktrust.org.uk partners & run #StorytimePrize sessions, Baby Rhyme Times & Stay ‘n’ Play sessions for our U5’s #LibraryOfTheYear
4. Partnerships
I cannot even begin to thank the Publishers for EVERYTHING they’ve done for me & the community of Roe.
You’ve helped my budget (& brain) stretch further & reach more children than I can ever begin to explain.
Your generosity means the world to us. THANK YOU!🙏🏻🤩
#LibraryOfTheYear
4. Partnerships
@AltonRenewal From the day I started, I’ve never felt such love, respect & warmth. The force for good you are for this community moves me 🥹 Our library would not look/feel like it does without your generosity & partnership.
There’s not enough TY’s in the world! #LibraryOfTheYear
4. Partnerships
Roe CL is so fortunate to have such a strong community network & we’ve been SO lucky to facilitate workshops, initiatives & literacy rich opps from the incredible teams @beanstalkreads @learn2love2read @Better_WHS @NurtureAcademy1 #PlayfulDosesOfDrama & MORE! 🥰 #LibraryOfTheYear
3. Stock Collection & Management
Truly, when I say the kids are fundamentally involved with the stock (& whole library), I really mean it.
They love understanding how a library ‘works’.
They help & are included (within reason!) with every aspect of how Roe functions & looks 🥹
#LibraryOfTheYear
3. Stock
Through recommendations from Inclusive Books for Children @The_DBAwards @jhalakprize @imaginecentre @toppsta @BooksForKeeps @clpe1 & involving families with stock ordering, centering their choices & promoting #ReadforPleasure our shelves represent Roe in every way 🥰 #LibraryOfTheYear
2.Outreach
The library is in reach of SO many local Primary Schools.
I’ve delivered assemblies to, provided workshops & library lessons for, given resources to, included in awards & provided Author visits! @JewishMosaic @heathmereschool @TheAlton @GranardSch @sacredheart_roe 💙 #LibraryOfTheYear
2. Outreach
Another lovely thing we did to promote our #ReviveRoehampton project was creating ‘Book Hunts’ around the local estates thanks to The National Literacy Trust, combined with the generosity of publishers/ ex stock & tied in @readingagency.bsky.social #SRC promotion! #LibraryOfTheYear
2. Outreach
A true joy has been working with Wandsworth Family Information Services #WandsworthParentChampions delivering/ facilitating sessions for their #FantasticBabies, #FantasticToddlers & Pre-School groups in our revived spaces 🙌🏻😍 #LibraryOfTheYear
1. Environment
Thanks to a ND brain, collective imagination, upcycling, child led input (we changed 2 units around today based on kids feedback!) & informal consultations with staff/ families & wider networks, plus Roe community magic; it became this & it’s STILL improving! 🥰💚
#LibraryOfTheYear
There was a LOT to process when I started at Roehampton Library.
Like a lot, a lot.
I decided that to truly #ReviveRoehampton I needed to be big, bold & brave.
It broke down into: 1. Environment 2. Community Outreach 3. Stock 4. CYP Programme & 5. Partnerships
A MEGA Task! 😵💫 #LibraryOfTheYear
I’m *ready* to share the results of #ReviveRoehampton project after making #TheBookSeller #BritishBookAwards
#Nibbies #LibraryOfTheYear Finalists!
I’m unbelievably proud & grateful for everyone who’s supported me in giving us ‘underdogs’ a chance to feel safe, seen, valued & celebrated! TY! 🤩
Congrats to the @TopekaLibrary, @LibraryJournal's
#libraryoftheyear. I joined a stream of patrons one Sun am....beautiful community!
