Forty-three libraries win slice of £33m funding boost

More than 40 library services across England will benefit from a £33m funding boost, alongside museums.

The Government’s Cultural Investment Fund will support important upgrades to both museums and public libraries – such as vital repairs, renovations and the development of digital infrastructure – ensuring “they can continue to be assets to their communities and improve the visitor experience,” the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said. 

All regions of England have received the funding, worth a total of £33m, which includes the Libraries Improvement Fund. This transforms public library services by upgrading their buildings and improving their digital infrastructure. Local authorities can bid for the money on behalf of their library services.

This is the third round of the Libraries Improvement Fund, which is worth £20.5m altogether, with 52 projects already benefiting from around £10m of funding in previous rounds. 

There will be 43 library services benefitting from this round, including Newcastle Libraries, which receives £400,000 to create a new reading facility in a disused part of the Walker Activity Dome, support increased opening hours and create a flexible community space. 

Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said: “We’re thrilled for all 43 library services that have received grants in this round of Libraries Improvement Fund. With upgraded buildings and technology, we can expect to see many more people experiencing and enjoying what their local library service has to offer.

“We do need to see much wider and longer-term investment in the library network, however. Without a more secure financial settlement for local government, libraries will remain particularly vulnerable to cuts and closures. The next government must take decisive action to avoid a crisis in our libraries over the coming years.”