Covenant for Public Libraries wins 2025 ASAP Alliance Excellence Award

Covenant for Public Libraries wins 2025 ASAP Alliance Excellence Award, presented at 2026 ASAP Summit NYC

The national partnership advances literacy and civic participation across the Netherlands through structured public-sector collaboration.

The Covenant for Public Libraries, a national partnership led by the KB National Library of the Netherlands and public-sector partners, has won the 2025 ASAP Alliance Excellence Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. The Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP), a global alliance-management professional association, announced the award on April 28, 2026, at the 2026 ASAP Summit NYC. ASAP selected the Covenant for its structured governance and demonstrated societal outcomes delivered through coordinated national and local collaboration.

The Corporate Social Responsibility category recognizes alliances that apply effective partnership practices to deliver measurable social impact for communities.

“The Covenant for Public Libraries stood out for connecting clear governance with demonstrated outcomes that matter to communities. Achieving full national coverage of the Library at School program, reaching more than half of Dutch primary schools, show what alliance management practices can accomplish in the public sector at scale,” said Nicole Boston, President and CEO of ASAP.

Operating under a formal national covenant, the partners align roles and service standards across the Dutch public library system. The collaboration links national coordination with local execution, enabling libraries to work with schools and community organizations while tracking progress through shared metrics. In 2025, the Covenant reached 100% coverage of public libraries offering the Library at School reading and literacy program, with more than 50% of primary schools using it to address low literacy and strengthen reading and language development. Libraries also supported informed and engaged communities by organizing public debates, providing free access to information, and delivering lessons in critical thinking, helping citizens form informed opinions and participate in democratic life. The approach reflects core alliance management practices including clear decision rights and joint performance review.

“Public libraries are essential infrastructure for an informed, inclusive society,” said Erna Winters, network manager for public libraries at KB National Library of the Netherlands. “Through the Covenant, partners align resources so libraries can strengthen reading, help citizens use digital government services, and create spaces for learning and participation. Reaching every public library in the Netherlands with the Library at School program is a milestone that shows what sustained national collaboration can achieve.”

About the Alliance Excellence Awards

The ASAP Alliance Excellence Awards recognize partnerships that demonstrate effective alliance practices and sustained results. Learn more at https://www.strategic-alliances.org/alliance-excellence-awards.

About ASAP

The Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) is the premier global community for professionals who drive success through strategic alliances and partnerships. As a nonprofit organization, ASAP serves alliance professionals and partnering experts from diverse sectors, including technology, biopharma, finance, energy, and professional services. Learn more at www.strategic-alliances.org.

About KB National Library of the Netherlands

KB National Library of the Netherlands is the national library organization of the Netherlands, working to strengthen access to knowledge, information, and culture. In collaboration with partners across the public library system and government, KB supports programs that advance reading, learning, and participation in the information society.

 Media Contacts

Kimberly Miller
Director, Marketing and Communications, ASAP
kmiller@strategic-alliances.org | +1 781-916-8652 x105

Erna Winters
Network Manager, KB National Library of the Netherlands
erna.winters@kb.nl | +31 6 50266378