New funding to support community-run libraries
A new fund that will support residents and community groups to provide library facilities in their area has been launched and will be available from April 2025.
Article date: February 6th 2025
The fund will support groups who would like to establish a community-led library, which is normally run by volunteers, by providing one-off funding of up to £5,000 to purchase books, furniture or computer equipment.
St Helens Borough Council's Library Strategy 2023-28 recognised that the way people use libraries is changing, with a greater focus on digital loans, and the strategy led to changes to the council run library service. It also recognised that there are alternative ways of delivering library services such as through a community led model, where volunteers take up the leadership of library services in their community and may share a physical space with other facilities such as a community centre or Parish hall.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Business, Leisure and Culture, said: "The Library Strategy approved last year introduced a new library outreach team which has been doing brilliant work, taking the service out to engage with people who had never set foot inside one of our library buildings before. The team are running sessions in churches, cafes, schools and community centres and inspiring a love of books and reading across the Borough.
"We know there are groups who want to support this activity and work with us to enhance the offer still further by developing a network of community-led libraries, something that works well in other areas. So if you have a space in your community that you think would be perfect for a library then please take a look and consider applying."
Details about the new fund, including the application process,and eligibility criteria, will be announced in the coming months and will be available at www.sthelens.gov.uk.
Please keep an eye on council social media channels for more information - you can also email libraries@sthelens.gov.uk to find out more.
Some examples from other areas:
Altofts Community Book Swap, Wakefield: https://thebrig.org.uk/book-scheme/
Penwortham Community Library, Lancashire: https://www.penworthamtowncouncil.gov.uk/priory-lane-community-centre/
Yellow Door Community Library, Wigan: https://directory.wigan.gov.uk/kb5/wigan/fsd/service.page?id=zum7wvB2_xA
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