Manchester Libraries Success at the Libraries Connected Awards 2026

Manchester Libraries were delighted to come away with awards at this year’s Libraries Connected Awards.

The Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of library workers who have had an exceptional impact on their library service, users or their local communities. With nominations from Libraries nationwide, the awards span six categories that reflect the core services and programmes that modern library services provide. 

At a prestigious ceremony taking place at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Warwickshire last week, representatives from Manchester Libraries were honoured with Runner Up Awards in two categories.

In the Health & Wellbeing category, Central Library’s Anna Putek was delighted to accept a Runner Up Award for her inclusive craft groups, city‑wide initiatives and ‘worry worms’. Through a crochet and knitting group, Anna has helped foster a supportive, creative space that brings people together, reduces isolation, and encourages regular engagement with the library.

Then in the Share The Vision category, Central Library Service Development Coordinator Thom Williams, accepted a Runner Up prize for his audio trail for visually impaired visitors. Alongside his daily duties at the Manchester Visitor Information Centre, Thom has thrown himself into a range of events and tasks as part of the wider Central Library team and was awarded for his creation of a ‘Self Guided Audio Trail’ that has enabled visitors to uncover the secrets of Central Library and its rich history.

Collecting their awards at the Ceremony, Anna and Thom are pictured below.

The annual Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of library workers who have had an exceptional impact on their library service, users or their local communities. The winners are announced at an awards ceremony in June each year, part of the Libraries Connected annual seminar.

The Awards are open to individuals or teams and are made in six categories, which reflect the Universal Library Offers. Nominations open each autumn and can come from anyone working in or with public libraries, including volunteers and library partners.

The shortlisted nominations are considered by an expert panel of judges which includes authors, library leaders and representatives of national organisations such as Arts Council England, The Reading Agency and the BBC.

There is also a President’s Award, recognising an outstanding library leader, and a Public Library Champion Award, given to a public figure who has used their platform to promote, celebrate and raise awareness of libraries.