Community Libraries
| Areas | Application open/close dates | Minimum / maximum grants | Total available |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 9 October 2006 - 30 March 2007 | £250,000 - £2 million | £80 million |
Summary of the programme
Libraries have an important role in the community and we wanted our funding to strengthen the relationship between the two. We wanted to fund libraries that are more than traditional library services and worked with their communities to:
- invigorate libraries as centres of wider community learning and development and learning based activities
- create, improve and develop library spaces that meet the needs of the whole community
- be innovative and promote good practice in the ways libraries are designed and run.
The application process was competitive, open to all local authority library services in England. 58 applicants were succesful at the initial application stage in October 2007, and went on to complete business plans and community engagement plans to demonstrate that communities are actively engaged in the development, delivery and management of library services. We have worked together with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), to deliver information and support about both the programme and community engagement.
Our aim was to see libraries working with disadvantaged groups, existing users and non-users, voluntary and community groups and other community service providers. We also wanted libraries to reflect local and national strategies.
The projects we funded will achieve this by creating library spaces that are exciting and accessible to all. Libraries worked with their communities to identify the activities that they would offer, that would best meet the needs of those communities. Many different opportunities were identified, including reading groups, writing groups, language classes, family learning activities, art and museum exhibitions, cultural activities such as drama, health activities such as well-being classes, information seminars about local volunteering or other opportunities, work experience library gardens, and outreach activities into more remote communities. These activities are now being rolled out as projects launch.
Guidance
More information:
Guidance notes
- 564KB
Nominated Main Contact
- 107KB- Good governance guide BIG does not have unlimited funds. We must ensure that our money is going to organisations that can effectively deliver projects to those most in need and is being used for th...
- 117KB - Explaining the difference A BIG guide to using an outcomes approach - 331KB
- Key equality principles
- Full cost recovery
- Contractor insolvency guide Advice and guidance about contractor insolvency - 135KB
- Glossary of capital terms Glossary of capital terms - 151KB
- Tips for successful capital project Tips for a successful capital project - 150KB
- Sources of further capital advice Sources of further capital advice - 124KB
- Consideration for capital projects A summary of what should be considered when planning and developing your capital projects. - 117KB
- Community Engagement workshops - Your Ideas
- 421KB
Useful links
Associated organisations
- Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is responsible for Government policy on the arts, sport, the National Lottery, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, creative industries including film and the music industry, press freedom and regulation, licensing, gambling and the historic environment.
- Community Development Foundation (CDF) is a non-departmental public body supported by the Active Community Unit of the Home Office.
- Museum Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) can offer help on community engagement.
- Society of Chief Librarians takes a leading role in the development of public libraries by influencing statutory, financial and other dec.
- Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information and knowledge managers.
- Reading agency provides advice and suggestions on how to put books and reading at the core of the service offer to communities and is responsible for the Love Libraries campaign.
- CABE advice on architecture, urban design and public space.