l Provide learners with tools to support the development of agile strategies for future development;


l Help learners recognise the value of imagination and creativity in improving resilience and the ability to navigate uncertainty;


l Help learners practice testing their own library strategies against future scenarios.


A CPD foundation


The course has been mapped to CILIP’s Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB). This framework is a valuable tool to help assess and demonstrate skills as part of continuing professional development (CPD). The PKSB is available to all CILIP members alongside CILIP’s recognised Professional Registration scheme, which has a range of levels to suit people at all stages of their career.


Supporting CPD? l Supports your professional growth and leadership development; l builds confidence in digital transformation for your library; l encourages proactive, future-focused thinking; l strengthens strategic planning and innovation in your library.


Supporting your role? l Strengthens leadership and decision making-skills; l improves approach to digital and strategic planning; l greater ability to lead innovation and adaptability for the future; l enhanced readiness for future challenges in libraries.


Benefiting library services l The training aims to create a new generation of leaders in public libraries in England, helping them to influence strategic decisions and align their library services with local, regional, national, and global priorities;


l participants will learn how to link digital skills development with core library values, including equity, ethics, and inclusion, while helping lead the digital transformation of their services;


l after completing the training participants will be able to anti cipate and respond to emerging community needs, test strate- gies against possible future scenarios, and cultivate imagination and creativity as tools for resilience.


Launched in autumn 2025, hundreds of library workers have already started or completed the course, including Georgie Fenwick and Molly Smith.


Molly, who works for Lancashire County Council, said: “I am neurodivergent and this aligns with the way my brain functions so perfectly, but it has formal structure and tools so I can explain


February-March 2026


how this process works to anyone with a different neurotype to me. “For me, that is incredibly validating and a true gift that allows me to communicate more effectively and clearly while planning with my team.


“I work for a diverse, deprived community, and I truly believe these tools will help me to advocate for them more effectively in the coming years. I think all operational and strategic managers would benefit from this training.”


Georgie, a Library & Information Assistant with Somerset County Council, said: “I really enjoyed the training; I gained valuable insights into how digital trends may impact service delivery and how creative thinking can help to navigate uncer- tainty. Scenario planning was particularly helpful to increase my understanding of how to adapt in uncertain times and maintain a growth mindset. It’s good to know that all is not lost for public libraries.”


Beat the deadline


There is just over a month to sign up for the course, with the deadline set for 31 March. Once signed up, participants have until 31 May to complete training.


The course, is a mix of videos and interactive activities, should take no longer than 3.5 hours to complete. Learners can dip in and dip out of modules starting where they left off, meaning it can be completed in more than one session.


Hinna said: “These courses are free for all public library work- ers in England and they offer valuable training that will support career progression and bring benefits to library services and their users. There is still time to sign up and complete the course, and it should only take a couple of hours.


“We are hearing positive things from those who have already signed up, and we’d urge everyone who is eligible to take a look at the website and sign up before 31 March.


“It’s a great opportunity to learn some new skills, and start on your CPD journey – helping to ensure that your skills stay rele- vant in a changing world. And the best thing about the course is that, thanks to Arts Council funding, it is absolutely free.” Visit www.cilip.org.uk/page/futurelibraryleader to sign up now. IP


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