Earlier this year, libraries from around the world shared projects that improved discovery, expanded access, strengthened communities, and solved real challenges in new ways.
Some initiatives used emerging technologies. Others focused on outreach, operational improvements, new services, or helping more people benefit from library resources. What connected them was not the size of the project or the technology behind it. It was the impact they made.
The inaugural Clarivate Library Innovation Awards brought together more than 50 submissions from 11 countries and regions, highlighting the creativity, dedication, and innovation taking place across the global library community. Finalists and winners demonstrated that innovation can take many forms, from expanding access to affordable course materials and improving resource discovery to creating new ways for children, students, researchers, and community members to connect with library services.
Perhaps most importantly, the Awards showed that meaningful innovation does not always begin with a major transformation project. Sometimes it starts with a simple question:
Is there a better way to serve our users?
The answers to that question looked very different from one library to the next. Some projects focused on improving access. Others reimagined discovery experiences, strengthened community engagement, streamlined services, or helped staff work more effectively. Together, they reflected the evolving role libraries continue to play in education, research, and community life.
This November, the Clarivate Library Innovation Awards will return for 2027.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll share more information about the next edition of the program and how eligible libraries can participate. Until then, we encourage libraries to reflect on the projects, services, and initiatives that have made a meaningful difference over the past two years.
You may already have a story worth sharing.
Because innovation is not always about doing something bigger.
Sometimes it’s about doing something better.
More details about the 2027 Clarivate Library Innovation Awards will be announced on November 20, 2026.