Libraries Hacked
Libraries Hacked promotes open data, develops digital tools and prototypes, and showcases innovative uses of UK public library data.
Featured projects
A new digital home bringing together public library locations, branch services, news, and open datasets from across the UK.
An interactive data dashboard visualising public library activity data and sector trends across England.
Tracking, mapping, and promoting the movement of UK public library services abolishing overdue fines.
Aggregating and displaying routes and stops of mobile library services operating throughout the UK.
Project timeline
A chronological timeline of core projects and tools created by Libraries Hacked. All projects are open source and free to adapt.
| Year | Project | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | LibraryCommons | A new digital home bringing together public library locations, branch services, news, and open datasets from across the UK. |
| 2025 | Library activity dashboard | An interactive data dashboard visualising public library activity data and sector trends across England. |
| 2022 | Fine free libraries | Tracking, mapping, and promoting the movement of UK public library services abolishing overdue fines. |
| 2021 | Library books | A tool to search the book catalogues of all UK library services. |
| 2020 | Library map | A library map displaying library information, opening hours, and location analysis. |
| 2020 | Library lab | Documentation for library prototypes and ideas. |
| 2020 | Libraries at home | A postcode lookup service and aggregator of library services online content such as videos, blog posts, and podcasts. |
| 2019 | Mobile libraries | Aggregating and displaying routes and stops of mobile library services operating throughout the UK. |
| 2019 | Create | Tools for creating, publishing and using public library open data. |
| 2014 | Data blog | Blog posts about library data and open data prototypes. |
For exploratory prototypes, small hacks, and sector research, explore the complete projects archive.
“Open data is data that anyone can access, use and share”
Open Data Institute: What is open data and why should we care?
Publishing openly licensed data ensures library services share data effectively, make data-informed decisions, and enable innovation that better serves the public and library staff.
For more information on the project and how to get involved, see the about page or visit the library data blog.