Libraries Forward Plan 2028 launched

With a focus on community, culture and impact, the forward plan will enhance support for researchers, students and communities across Leeds.

The University of Leeds Libraries Forward Plan 2028 sets out the next stage in the Library’s ongoing contribution to One Leeds and the University’s strategy, through our focus on community, culture and impact across our different services.

We are delighted to launch the Forward Plan, which will enhance our support for researchers, students and our communities across Leeds

The development of the plan was led by Claire Knowles, Acting Director of Library Services, and Jane Gallagher, Director of Cultural Collections and Curatorial Practice. Claire Knowles said: “We are delighted to launch the Forward Plan, which will enhance our support for researchers, students and our communities across Leeds. We will deliver academic excellence through our support and promotion of research strengths, we will contribute to the creation of a student-centred university, strengthening educational enhancement, and we will maximise opportunities to support the University’s reputation, particularly through civic engagement.”

The plan builds on the progress made through Forward Plan 2025, and continues to deliver Knowledge for All, our strategy to 2030.

The outcomes from each objective in the previous plan are presented in the Forward Plan 2025 final report

Shaped through collaboration

Colleagues and stakeholders from across the University and in Libraries, Collections and Galleries helped to shape the new plan through consultation and collaboration. Their knowledge, ideas and perspectives helped to identify priorities and develop a shared direction for the service.

We are confident that the resulting activities … will embed our collaboration with colleagues across the University to deliver an excellent, user-centred offer.

Jane Gallagher said: “This Plan is the result of extensive consultation across the University with colleagues across faculties and professional services contributing their insights and priorities to Library-wide discussions. We are confident that the resulting activities, which will run until 2028, will embed our collaboration with colleagues across the University to deliver an excellent, user-centred offer.”

This collaborative approach reflects an important principle behind the plan: delivering it will be a shared endeavour. Teams and colleagues across the Libraries will contribute their expertise, work together and learn from one another as the plan progresses.

Our four strategic programmes

The plan is structured around four programmes:

Digital futures: developing digital capabilities, using AI and emerging technologies responsibly, and improving our digital services, systems and infrastructure
Open higher education: making research, educational resources and knowledge easier to access, use and share
Enriched experiences: creating inclusive and engaging opportunities for people to discover and use our collections, expertise and services
Sustainable environments: developing resilient and inclusive physical and digital environments while protecting our collections for the future.

Together, these programmes support our ambitions for student education, research and civic engagement, while responding to changing technology, user needs and the wider University context.

Supporting our people and culture

The plan also continues our focus on Cultural Shift: strengthening the culture, behaviours and ways of working that enable our people and services to thrive. This work is organised around four connected themes:

working environment and staff development
engagement, collaboration and community
user experience and innovation
equity, diversity and inclusion.

Through this work, we aim to empower colleagues to lead change, develop their skills, work inclusively and contribute to a strong sense of community across the Libraries, Collections and Galleries.