At least 40 libraries across England, including Newcastle Libraries, have been announced as the some of the beneficiaries of more than £33 million in government funding. This investment, part of the Government’s Cultural Investment Fund, aims to support critical upgrades, repairs, and renovations, as well as the development of digital infrastructure, ensuring these vital community assets can enhance visitor experiences and continue to serve their communities effectively.
The Libraries Improvement Fund, totalling £20.5 million, has already been facilitating upgrades to physical buildings and enhancing digital platforms. The fund ensures libraries are better equipped to adapt to evolving user needs. Local government bodies are invited to apply for funding on behalf of their library services.
Revitalising community treasures with funding boost
Newcastle Libraries will benefit from nearly £400,000 to develop a new reading facility within an unused section of the Walker Activity Dome. This project not only aims to extend library opening hours but also to create a versatile community space that can adapt to various needs and events.
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay reiterated the importance of museums and libraries as community keystones across the nation, fuelling creativity, curiosity, and lifelong passions. “This major cultural investment will continue our work to level up access to culture across the country, with beneficiaries from St Ives to Sunderland and from Medway to Tyneside, building on the £100 million of further Levelling Up funding for cultural and heritage projects confirmed at this month’s Budget,” he stated.
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Darren Henley, Arts Council England chief executive, highlighted the significant contribution of museums to English communities and the importance of investing in the physical infrastructure to ensure their longevity and continued service to communities.
“We want our libraries to be pleasant, inclusive places, offering the best facilities possible for our residents and this funding will help us achieve that at Walker Library.”
Christine Herriot, Newcastle City Council’s Director of City Operations
Christine Herriot, Newcastle City Council’s Director of City Operations, Neighbourhoods, and Regulatory Services, praised the funding as a transformative development for libraries, expanding their role beyond traditional book lending to becoming inclusive community hubs offering a wide range of services and facilities. She said: “This extra funding will help make the library bigger by bringing unused storage space back into use, give it a new entrance and enable us to widen digital services on offer while putting in place employment support to help residents with training and accessing new job opportunities.”
Libraries Connected chief executive Isobel Hunter said they were “thrilled” that libraries had been offered a lifeline amid spending cuts. However, she stressed that there was a need for a “much wider and longer-term investment in the library network.” Speaking to The Bookseller, she added: “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.”
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Now in its third iteration, the Libraries Improvement Fund has already allocated approximately £10 million to 52 projects in its previous phases. Notable beneficiaries include Stoke Libraries, which used a £300,000 grant to refurbish the Longton and Stoke libraries, creating more adaptable and inviting spaces. Similarly, the Sandwell Library and Information Service benefited from a £495,000 investment, deploying open-access technology across 10 of its 19 branches. This innovation allows patrons to enjoy library services even when staff are not present.
This funding is part of the larger Museum Estate and Development Fund and the Libraries Improvement Fund, both integral components of the Cultural Investment Fund, designed to enhance the cultural infrastructure across England, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of cultural and historical assets for future generations.