Four National Libraries Launch New Cross Collaboration

Four national libraries across Ireland and the United Kingdom have been awarded €750,000 through the UK-Ireland Cultural Co-operation Programme for Across These Islands: Shared Histories, Shared Futures, a first-of-its-kind partnership to widen access to their national collections, deepen research collaboration, and help people and communities explore their shared histories, languages and cultures.

The programme will bring together collections, staff expertise and community voices across three strands of work:

• joint programming and curation, including shared exhibitions, digital experiences and public events that highlight both the distinctiveness of each nation and the deep connections between them
• professional exchange and development, creating opportunities for staff at all career stages to share knowledge and shape common standards across preservation, digitisation, research, learning and public engagement
• joint research and policy initiatives in areas such as digital discovery, sustainability, ethics, inclusion, climate transition and the responsible use of AI

"This collaboration allows us to share stories that cross borders, deepen understanding and create new vibrant ways for people to engage with our respective national collections,” said Dr Audrey Whitty, Director, National Library of Ireland.

Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Chief Executive, National Library of Wales, added: “This is such an exciting, inaugural and innovative project. It will see the four National Libraries working together to create engaging programmes, projects and materials which will inspire and offer opportunities for communities and families to learn and understand more about themselves and each other”

The Across These Islands: Shared Histories, Shared Futures
 initiative is a four‑year collaboration between the National Library of Ireland, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales and the British Library. Its core objectives include:

• illuminating the interconnected histories, languages and cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England
• co‑creating inclusive narratives with communities across all nations
• expanding digital discovery and open access through shared standards and infrastructure
• strengthening sector resilience through joint training and knowledge exchange
• advancing collaborative research in sustainability, ethics, digitisation and AI
• supporting multilingual delivery in English, Gaeilge, Cymraeg and Gàidhlig