Could you be our Library Innovation Champion 2026?
Calling all students: submit your ideas to be crowned 'Library Innovation Champion' and win £1,000.
From book borrowing and skills development sessions to wellbeing spaces and free access to streaming platforms, the Libraries offer a range of services to students at every stage of their academic journey. If you’ve dropped by to study, read an online book from your reading list or watched a movie on Kanopy, you’ve benefitted from your Library!
The Library Innovation Competition is a new initiative that gives students, as individuals or teams of up to three, the opportunity to submit proposals that will enhance what our Libraries offer. The creative minds behind the winning idea will receive a grand prize of £1,000 as well as the prestigious title of ‘Library Innovation Champion’, with two runners-up receiving £500 and £250.
As well as being a brilliant opportunity to make your mark and have a positive impact on the library for current and future students, the competition offers career-building skills development that you can add to your CV. Just by entering, you will gain experience in writing applications and communicating your ideas.
If you are selected as a finalist, you will develop your idea with the support of a mentor, who will help you make sure your idea is feasible and get it ready to present to an audience and judging panel at the grand final event in March 2026. The whole process will develop your skills and experience in writing, presenting, public speaking and organisation. If you enter as a team, you can add teamwork to that list!
We often work with users to improve library services, but this is the first time you will be able to submit original ideas and then work with us to make your vision a reality. Proposals could cover topics including (but not limited to): digital solutions, wellbeing initiatives, making the Libraries more inclusive, accessible or inspiring... whatever idea you may have, we want to hear about it.
If you have even the beginnings of an idea – start your entry today. Submissions are open until Sunday 23 November. Read the Library Innovation Competition FAQs and enter now.
