In the period 2004 - 2006 the Inspire programme was established in England. Supported by Funding from DCMS, MLA, The British Library,  SCONUL and SCL, two pilot schemes were run in 2004 and these were followed by a two year programme to extend Inspire to libraries from all sectors across the whole of England. The Programme was led by the Inspire Directors, Mary Heaney (University of Wolverhampton, Andrew Green, (Coventry Library and Information Services), and latterly Philip Payne, (Librarian, Birkbeck College) with Sally Curry, the Inspire National Partnerships Manager.  They were supported by a Steering Group representing the interests of all the funders and a wide range of libraries in the UK.

By December 2006 there were over 3000 Inspire libraries throughout England as well as an expanding group in Northern Ireland and the Inspire programme had:

• Extended existing networks of successful access partnerships and added new ones so to creating a single national access route to information, irrespective of geography
• Ensured that learners can have access to the most appropriate learning materials irrespective of the status of the learner or the location of the materials
• Provided greater opportunities and access for socially excluded individuals and groups
• Created the Findit! Website to provide a guide for learners to libraries with collections and materials relevant to the needs of learners and researchers.

• set the pace for fulfilling key aspects of the Museum Libraries and Archives Council's Framework for the Future 2013 vision that:
  • Any member of a public library can also access materials held in Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) libraries
  • Anyone seeking opportunities for learning and training can be guided to a course through a public library

Participation in Inspire has also supported the development the library and information workforce by raising awareness of access agreements and collections in other sectors and enhancing opportunities for joint staff training and the exchange of professional experience.

• Inspire project proposal MLAC F4F Oct 04

• Inspire England
• Inspire North West
• Inspire West Midlands