Inclusive Libraries is a series of professional development events, online and in-person, that support educators and librarians to make their libraries inclusive and representative of our communities, both immediate and global.
Developed in collaboration with partner organisations and fantastic speakers on a huge range of topics, these events are designed to deepen conversations and empower educators and librarians to champion unheard voices.
Inclusive Libraries Webinars
Previously known as Diverse Libraries, this webinar series has been running since 2021. The webinars are embedded in our Libraries for Primaries programme and campaign, and we also welcome any library staff and teachers based in primary or secondary schools, or in public and community libraries across the UK. The webinars are always free to attend.
Current webinar series: April to July 2026
Follow the links below to register for each webinar.
Webinar one: 30 April 2026, 4 - 5pm
Webinar two: 19 May 2026, 4 - 5:30pm
Webinar three: 9 July 2026, 4 - 5pm
Previous topics in our webinar series:
You can watch all of our previous webinars here for free.
2024/2025
- Representations of Jewishness within children’s literature
2023/2024
- Representations of children, young people and families of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller heritage
- Reading and empathy
2022/2023
- Representations of neurodiversity in children’s reading
- Every reader counts: developing inclusive reading provision and practice
- Handling difficult conversations around representation in children’s literature, featuring Patrick Ness.
2021/2022
- Bringing Diversity to Your Library Collection
- Dealing with difficult texts and promoting anti-racism
- Diversity Beyond the Bookshelf - Engaging library and school communities
Inclusive Libraries Conference
Save the date! Our next in-person events will be:
Sheffield: 24 September 2026
London: 30 September 2026
These Inclusive Libraries events will focus on race and ethnicity in the library, expanding on the themes from the first conference and offering new questions to consider, as well as lots more space for discussion, practice sharing and networking. More details to be announced. Complete the form below to be first in the know.
About previous conferences
September 2024: Exploring Race, Culture and Identity with Children and Young People in the Library
Our inaugural Inclusive Libraries conference took place at the start of September 2024, running both in Leeds and London.
Reading is a foundational tool to develop empathy and support education around racism. For children and young people the library plays an essential role in self-discovery, and exploration of our global community. We want librarians to feel empowered to champion unheard voices, and provide a safe space for young people to explore cultures, identities and intersectionality, so that they feel included and celebrated.
We are thrilled to have collaborated with the British Library and Lit in Colour (Penguin Books) on this conference for librarians and other
Read more about the conference in our Library Lifeline blog post from the School Library Association’s Member Development Librarian, Dawn Woods.
