As always at this time of year, we’re taking a moment to look back at a year full of change, new ideas and ongoing conversations about the present and future of libraries.
Gathering the articles featured in our newsletter that captured the most interest over the past 12 months both reminds us of some great reads as well as giving us a valuable overview of what impacted the sector in 2025.
This year we also made some changes behind the scenes, including migrating to a new newsletter platform. This caused a bit of disruption to the publishing schedule but across 17 issues, we shared more than 205 posts, resources and publications by library and information professionals over the past 12 months.
And as we entered an inevitable trough of disillusionment with AI, the topics that resonated most were ones that took a more considered and critical look at these tools and technologies that have received so much hype. Were these tools really helping us? And, if so, at what cost? And what does this really mean for library users?
It’s a challenging time in libraries and so many library professionals are also reflecting on how they can better support staff and create safe, resilient work environments.
We look forward to seeing these conversations continue to evolve and we’ll continue to share interesting and innovative things happening across the library sector in 2026.
Our top 10 most clicked articles in 2025 are:
10. My Coworkers Don’t Want AI. They Want Macros | Ruth Kitchin Tillman
This article perfectly encapsulates the difference between a solution in search of a problem and a solution to an existing problem. Here Ruth, who has the enviable title of a Cataloging Systems and Linked Data Strategist, shares how she helped solve real problems her colleagues were facing and streamline tasks at Pennsylvania State University Libraries.
9. It might not be Imposter Syndrome… We need to talk about Trespasser Syndrome | Ned Potter
In this personal, thoughtful post Ned shares why he thinks that Imposter Syndrome is often misdiagnosed. How can we rethink this to more accurately assign this as something that comes from without, not from within and therefore better support colleagues who are being (mis)treated as if they don’t belong.
8. The Future of Library Work: An ‘Accidental’ Librarian’s Perspective | CAVAL
Let’s face it, library work is often a complex mismash of skills. And like many sectors, the inclusion of those with diverse backgrounds and skills benefits the sector as a whole. In this popular post, Jaime McCowan shares the interesting, non-linear path that she took to becoming the CEO of CAVAL (a mysterious acronym for a membership organisation of academic libraries in Victoria, Australia).
7. OPINION: A librarian’s summary of, and response to, the Clarivate announcement | UKSG
This post by Siobhan Haimé (Birkbeck, University of London) reacting to a significant product announcement from Clarivate really struck a chord with readers grappling with what such a big change meant for their own libraries. And as libraries are forced into owning less content for the sake of ‘subscription’ models, bigger issues are raised about library vendors, users and how much sway libraries get in shaping library products.
6. Why Avoiding Behavior Conversations Damages Library Team Culture — And What to Do Instead | Jane Cowell
Tough conversations are always, well, tough to have. But as Jane outlines so well here, avoiding these conversations can reduce staff morale and create a disengaged workforce. These 7 Steps for ‘Courageous Conversations’ are a great help to those wanting to improve their management skills and/or their workplace culture.
5. Librarians are dangerous. | The Enthusiast by Brad Montague
We can all appreciate a catchy title, some great illustrations and a well-timed reminder that libraries do lots of good things. I mean who doesn’t want to be known as “mercenaries of media literacy-knowers of where things are – masters of organized rebellion”?
4. Seoul’s outdoor libraries draw 1 mil. Visitors in 3 months, exceeding expectations | The Korea Times
It was summer (Northern hemisphere edition), the sun was shining, and our readers really enjoyed this inspiring example of public engagement with reading and culture. It still warms our hearts in the middle of winter.
3. Why embedding vector search is probably one of the least objectionable use of AI for search | Aaron Tay’s Musings about Librarianship
We always appreciate Aaron Tay’s detailed but accessible insights into all of the different AI search tools available that helped us all keep up to date with a rapidly changing, technical field.
2. “We Couldn’t Generate an Answer for your Question”. | ACRLog | Jay Singley
A consequence of the increasingly ‘black box’ technologies being offered to libraries is that it can be hard to find details of how (and if) these tools are working as we expect. And what sort of ‘polices’ are being applied. So these kinds of honest, transparent ‘audits’ of these products from those working in libraries, can be invaluable for other library professionals.
1. Rediscovering libraries: new insights on engaging non-users | DCMS Libraries
It’s no secret in libraries that it’s vital but exceptionally difficult to reach those in your community who don’t yet engage with any of the library services. And in this, our most read article, was some fascinating and important insights from a UK quantitative research study exploring the barriers to public library use and how libraries could connect with these non-users.
—
Thank you to all the bloggers and contributors whose insights continue to support and inspire our professional community.
And, as well as writers and thought-sharers, thank you to those who continue to create and share free resources for library professionals. This year, some of our favourites include LibParlor’s Research Community Bingo, the Koha Report Assistant, IFLA’s Libraries Driving Education for Sustainable Development eBook and Hibernia College’s Digital Literacy OER.
As we look ahead to the coming year, we’d love to hear from you. What types of content would you like to see more of? Are there topics, formats or features that would make the newsletter even more valuable? Your feedback truly shapes what we create next.
Wishing everyone a joyful New Year and a great start to 2026. We’ll be back in the new year with our next issue of Newslet for Libraries.
If you’d like to start receiving the newsletter when it returns in 2026, you can subscribe here: libraries.newslet.org