Knowsley Green Libraries Week was locally delivered, and not formally part of the national Green Libraries scheme, although it was inspired by it. It was well received locally, and a worthwhile initiative.
Green week was popular with attendees
Knowsley reported 770 attendances across the week, and exceeded expectations. The council plans to assess the programme’s impact using the Generic Learning Outcomes (GLO) framework, a national methodology for informal learning and engagement measurement.
These figures demonstrate that the week was popular and well-attended, with both families and children engaging in a mix of environmental and traditional half-term activities.
Knowsley Council used Green Libraries Week branding, however a Freedom of Information response clarifies that only a portion of the half-term activities were focussed on sustainability.
Knowsley Council’s October 2025 half-term library programme was branded as ‘Green Libraries Week’, and delivered a borough-wide schedule of free activities for families, including storytelling, crafts, and LEGO sessions and environmental workshops. Some of these were specifically for ‘Green Week’, others were traditional half term activities.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) response told us that Knowsley was not formally accredited under the national Green Libraries Partnership, and did not receive national funding for the programme.
Re-use, recycle and raise awareness
According to the council’s press release, the programme aimed to “re-use and recycle, and increase awareness of climate and sustainability initiatives”. Libraries in Halewood, Huyton, Kirkby, Prescot, and Stockbridge Village offered a mix of activities, including storytelling, junk modelling, wool pumpkins, autumn umbrella crafts, and leaf lantern workshops.
While some activities, such as grow-your-own-food sessions and crafts using recycled materials, directly promoted environmental awareness, other sessions, including LEGO building, cotton wool ghosts, Halloween bracelets, and story play for under-fives, had no sustainability connection. The Local Authority did not clarify which activities were environmental and which were traditional half-term offerings, which may have given some readers the impression that all activities formed part of a single sustainability-focussed programme.
Knowsley had its own scheme based on the national scheme
The FOI response confirmed that Knowsley was not accredited by the national Green Libraries Partnership and did not receive funding from CILIP or other national sources. Instead, the council received a £1,400 grant from Libraries Connected North West to support the week’s events.
Knowsley’s use of the Green Libraries Week branding was justified by referencing DCMS and CILIP websites, which listed the event as taking place from 27 October 2025 to 2 November 2025. Historically, the national Green Libraries Week has been held in March, highlighting a discrepancy in the timing. By adopting Green Libraries Week branding without formal participation, the council’s promotion may have suggested an official link to the national scheme that was not in place.
Environmental sessions were held, led by specialist teams: the Knowsley Ranger Service and the Recycling Engagement Team. These teams delivered activities such as junk modelling with recyclable materials, leaf lanterns, and grow-your-own-food workshops.
Staff had training for this and other events
All library staff had neurodiversity inclusion training and had access to children’s safeguarding guidelines. However, the majority of sessions, including LEGO building, Halloween crafts, and storytime, were part of the borough’s traditional half-term programme.
The FOI response confirmed that no volunteers were part of the scheme, and all events were staffed by paid library employees. Specialist teams delivered the environmental components, while general library staff supported all other activities. Staff had access to safeguarding protocols and neurodiversity inclusion guidance, ensuring that the programme was inclusive and safe for children and families.
This staffing structure confirms that while the green content was specialist-led, the council maintained professional oversight across the week.
Green Libraries Week branding
The use of ‘Green Libraries Week’ branding could imply:
- National endorsement and partnership with CILIP
- Accreditation as a Green Library
- A fully sustainability-focused set of activities
The FOI confirms that these assumptions were not reflected in the programme’s formal status or funding arrangements. Only a subset of activities was environmentally focused, and Knowsley’s participation was regional rather than national. Families attending events may have assumed that the programme carried national recognition, which was not the case.
While the programme was popular and well-attended, the use of Green Libraries Week branding raises questions about local government communication and transparency. By emphasising that these assumptions were not reflected in the programme’s formal status or funding arrangements.
The FOI also highlights the importance of clarity in promotional messaging, particularly when environmental and educational claims are involved. Accurate branding helps families understand which activities are designed to teach environmental awareness and which are standard recreational offerings.
The week was a combination of green and half-term activities
Knowsley Council’s October half-term events offered a mix of enjoyable crafts, storytelling, and environmental education.
The week was funded through a small regional grant, staffed entirely by paid employees, and included specialist environmental teams for selected activities. While the programme delivered educational and recreational value, its branding did not fully reflect the distinction between locally delivered environmental activities and the wider half-term programme.
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