New report from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport provides advice to help English libraries make better use of their buildings and create a sustainable sector.
The Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016-2021 report outlines:
- a £4m library fund to help disadvantaged communities and promote new projects, including literacy, reading and digital access schemes
- a strategy that encourages new models of delivery for libraries
- how the ambition underlines the Government’s commitment to the library sector
- urges councils to consider using libraries when delivering other public services.
The report calls on local authorities to make use of the buildings, staff and services, and think innovatively to help increase reading, literacy and digital access in communities.
The fund, to be managed by Arts Council England, will finance new projects such as literacy schemes, improving access to technology or increasing the number of children visiting libraries. The Government is encouraging libraries to work with partners on joint bids and show match-funding as part of the application.
