2026 conference headline sponsor revealed

We’re delighted to announce that BookingsPlus are our headline sponsor for our 2026 May conference.

If you’ve ever tried to explain the value of a library, it becomes clear that it’s not always about what’s on the shelves. It’s about how a space feels, how easy it is to use, and whether people feel confident enough to walk through the door in the first place.

That focus on access and creating a welcoming experience from the very first interaction is one of the reasons we’re really pleased to be partnering with BookingsPlus.

BookingsPlus works with library services, local authorities and schools across the UK to make spaces easier to access and use. Their venue hire software allows people to find, book and pay for library spaces online, helping services open up to their communities while also generating income and reducing admin time.

Their virtual tours are a big part of why were excited about this partnership. These tours allow people to explore a library remotely, understand the layout and find key services in advance. For some users, including those who benefit from knowing what to expect, that sense of familiarity can make all the difference. It can turn a space from something uncertain into something welcoming.

This year’s conference focuses on belonging in the early years and what it really means to create inclusive practice within Early Years.

Taking place on 12 May in Birmingham, with a hybrid live streamed option available, Libraries Rising will explore Belonging from the Beginning: supporting inclusive early years practice in libraries. Our guest speakers Shaddai Tembo will share insight on antiracist practice in early years and Dr Alice Haynes will be discussing supporting young children’s mental health in libraries.

There will also be interactive sessions led by the Early Years Alliance and StarCatchers, looking at what inclusion means in practice and how the voice of the baby can be reflected in library decision-making.

The day will close with a shared session focused on the future, bringing people together to think about how we shape library services and spaces for young children at a national level.

We’re really pleased to be working with BookingsPlus as our conference headline sponsor this year. Inclusion isn’t only about what happens inside a library, it’s about what people need to feel welcome to visit. Tools like virtual tours enable parents and young people to explore library spaces virtually, to understand how it works for their needs. Feeling confident in a space before they arrive can make a real difference to whether they visit at all. This focus around access and experience is especially important in the context of belonging in the early years.

Tabitha Witherick-Macaulay, Chief Executive Libraries Rising

BookingsPlus is delighted to sponsor the Libraries Rising Conference 2026. With renewed focus on the life-changing role libraries play in communities across the UK, it is an important time for the sector to meet, learn and share expertise together for the betterment of society.

Jack Woodley, BookingsPlus

About BookingsPlus

BookingsPlus provides venue hire software and virtual tour services to Library Services, Local Authorities and schools.

BookingsPlus’ venue hire software allows members of the public to find, book and pay for your bookable spaces online. It delivers vital revenue to support the delivery of services and digitally transforms processes to save time and money. It is trusted by the likes of Libraries Unlimited, Newcastle City Council, Kent County Council, Worcestershire County Council, Hillingdon Council and Bolton Council, alongside hundreds of schools and Multi Academy Trusts.

Virtual tours are accessibility resources that enable library users to explore and feel confident with your libraries before they visit. They allow users to look around and get familiar with the space remotely, which can be especially helpful for those who benefit from knowing what to expect in advance or are neurodivergent. Information points add context and signpost users to services. Additionally, tours support space bookings by allowing prospective hirers to visualise spaces before booking. We have created virtual tours for more than 300 libraries and schools across the UK.