The government's culture minister, Lord Stephen Parkinson of Whitley Bay, announced a major cash boost for libraries across Worcestershire this week. The council’s ‘Digital Futures’ programme will receive £182,000 from the government’s Cultural Investment Fund.
The fund will see £48 million distributed to 63 organisations across the country, which will improve people’s access to the arts, safeguard cultural assets for future generations and power economic growth through culture.
Funding has been allocated through three streams: £24 million through the Cultural Development Fund, £18.8 million through the Museums Estate and Development Fund, and £5 million through the Libraries Improvement Fund.
Worcester will benefit from support for its libraries which has been awarded £182,000 to Worcestershire County Council through the Libraries Improvement Fund.
Worcester MP Robin Walker has been working with Worcestershire County Council and colleagues in government to ensure more funding for arts and culture in his constituency. He said:
“I am really pleased to see the government backing our public libraries which provide a vital service to residents. Libraries play an important role in our communities as a central hub where people can meet, learn, and engage in other cultural activities.
“The Libraries Improvement Fund is set up to enable library services across England to invest in a range of projects to upgrade buildings and technology so they are better placed to respond to the changing ways people are using them. That’s why I am pleased that Worcestershire County Council will be able to use this money to take more of their services online and broaden access to the library.”