Tuesday 30 Oct 2007 @ 10:10
Big Lottery Fund
Big Lottery Fund
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LOTTERY £80 MILLION MODERNISING MAKE-OVER FOR ENGLAND LIBRARIES
Libraries at the heart of learning in communities across England are set for a multi-million modernising make-over funded with £80 million by the Big Lottery Fund.
Some 58 library authorities are being given grants of between £250,000 and £2 million each from BIG’s Community Libraries funding to renovate, extend or build new libraries so that they can offer a broader range of activities to their communities.
Building on the strong community link that libraries already have, the £80 million investment from BIG will help attract groups and individuals who may not have utilised their libraries.
Sanjay Dighe, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund England Committee, said: “An increasing number of people are using library services and it is clear that our local libraries are at their best when they act as focal points for community life, providing a range of reading, learning and information activities. These awards are providing the capital funds needed so libraries can transform or modify their buildings to provide a wide range of community uses.
“The Big Lottery Fund is determined to ensure that these awards from the Community Libraries programme are additional to other funding and are supporting activities which wouldn’t otherwise be supported.”
MLA Partnership Chief Executive, Roy Clare, added: "This investment will help bring about new and improved library buildings and act as a catalyst to increase community engagement in those localities. We are very pleased that the Big Lottery Fund has recognised that libraries can play a central role in the lives of our towns and cities, with books and other lending resources at their heart.”
An innovative project to build two new libraries and renovate one in Derby is on the cards as it receives £2 million to construct new learning centres in Chellaston and Mackworth and extend Allenton library.
The new libraries aim to be at the centre of community learning for local people and act as a catalyst for community involvement and will also feature displays of artefacts from the Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
Councillor Alan Graves, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Direct Services for Derby Council, said: “We’re delighted that the bid has been successful. Libraries in Derby are going from strength to strength – you only have to look at what a valuable community resource the new library in Mickleover has become since it opened in July to see what a great asset these libraries will be to their local areas.”
“We hope to open all three libraries by spring 2010 and then we’ll form library panels in each community to give local people the chance to get involved.”
The Community Libraries funding will create new spaces, turning libraries into community hubs that offer a range of activities to appeal to a wide section of society.
Using their additional space, libraries will offer more learning opportunities and activities to attract groups and individuals who may not have used the buildings in the past. Reading groups, writing groups, language classes, family learning activities, art and museum exhibitions, cultural activities, drama, information seminars, fitness classes and health initiatives are all some of the activities that could be on offer.
A full list of the 58 library projects to receive funding can be found at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_301007_eng_libraries_awards
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours contact: 07867 500 572
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 0845 6021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Notes to Editors
• The Big Lottery Fund rolls out close to £2 million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project.
• The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to Good Causes. As a result, over £20 billion has now been raised and more than 280,000 grants given out across the arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
• The MLA Partnership is government's agency for museums, galleries, libraries and archives. We deliver strategic leadership in England and in each of its regions and we collaborate with partners across the UK. Our research identifies good practice, which we use to promote improvement. We offer advice, support and resources to funding bodies and other groups to incentivise innovation. Our aim is to raise professional standards and champion better services for users and readers of all ages and backgrounds, whether residents or visitors. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk
Some 58 library authorities are being given grants of between £250,000 and £2 million each from BIG’s Community Libraries funding to renovate, extend or build new libraries so that they can offer a broader range of activities to their communities.
Building on the strong community link that libraries already have, the £80 million investment from BIG will help attract groups and individuals who may not have utilised their libraries.
Sanjay Dighe, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund England Committee, said: “An increasing number of people are using library services and it is clear that our local libraries are at their best when they act as focal points for community life, providing a range of reading, learning and information activities. These awards are providing the capital funds needed so libraries can transform or modify their buildings to provide a wide range of community uses.
“The Big Lottery Fund is determined to ensure that these awards from the Community Libraries programme are additional to other funding and are supporting activities which wouldn’t otherwise be supported.”
MLA Partnership Chief Executive, Roy Clare, added: "This investment will help bring about new and improved library buildings and act as a catalyst to increase community engagement in those localities. We are very pleased that the Big Lottery Fund has recognised that libraries can play a central role in the lives of our towns and cities, with books and other lending resources at their heart.”
An innovative project to build two new libraries and renovate one in Derby is on the cards as it receives £2 million to construct new learning centres in Chellaston and Mackworth and extend Allenton library.
The new libraries aim to be at the centre of community learning for local people and act as a catalyst for community involvement and will also feature displays of artefacts from the Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
Councillor Alan Graves, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Direct Services for Derby Council, said: “We’re delighted that the bid has been successful. Libraries in Derby are going from strength to strength – you only have to look at what a valuable community resource the new library in Mickleover has become since it opened in July to see what a great asset these libraries will be to their local areas.”
“We hope to open all three libraries by spring 2010 and then we’ll form library panels in each community to give local people the chance to get involved.”
The Community Libraries funding will create new spaces, turning libraries into community hubs that offer a range of activities to appeal to a wide section of society.
Using their additional space, libraries will offer more learning opportunities and activities to attract groups and individuals who may not have used the buildings in the past. Reading groups, writing groups, language classes, family learning activities, art and museum exhibitions, cultural activities, drama, information seminars, fitness classes and health initiatives are all some of the activities that could be on offer.
A full list of the 58 library projects to receive funding can be found at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_301007_eng_libraries_awards
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours contact: 07867 500 572
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 0845 6021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Notes to Editors
• The Big Lottery Fund rolls out close to £2 million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project.
• The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to Good Causes. As a result, over £20 billion has now been raised and more than 280,000 grants given out across the arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
• The MLA Partnership is government's agency for museums, galleries, libraries and archives. We deliver strategic leadership in England and in each of its regions and we collaborate with partners across the UK. Our research identifies good practice, which we use to promote improvement. We offer advice, support and resources to funding bodies and other groups to incentivise innovation. Our aim is to raise professional standards and champion better services for users and readers of all ages and backgrounds, whether residents or visitors. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk
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