Grants
Round 1
LibraryOn's first grants round gave £1.09m to public libraries in England.
Information for Round 1 grantees
Overview
We received 68 applications in total, representing just under 70% of all library services in England. Of the initial 68, 43 were invited to submit a full application. 27 of those applicants received funding.
Our decision-making process had two stages. The first presented our 68 Expressions of Interest to a panel which included an Arts Council England representative and the Digital Lead for Libraries Connected. Applications included upgrading existing websites or creating new ones, digital marketing activities and the purchase of new software. The total value of these applications came to just under £1.09m.
In the second decision-making phase, we assembled a panel of sector experts, including voices from CILIP, the Good Things Foundation and former heads of library services. All full applications were considered and discussed in detail to ensure a good geographical spread and range of activities.
Grants recipients
The panel awarded funding to 27 projects with a total value of £1,080,846:
- In the North, eleven projects were funded, including a new website for Sunderland Libraries to revitalise customer experience; a digital advertising campaign in Sefton; an animation and VR project working with young people in North Lincolnshire; a new library app in Kirklees and upgraded events booking for Gateshead.
- The Midlands received funding for two applications, including a website refresh, virtual floor plan, photography and library app for Stoke-on-Trent; and a library app for Leicester Libraries.
- London had five successful applications. They included a collaboration between the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) and Camden Libraries; an online discoverable catalogue in Lambeth; and an interactive website for five projects for Newham.
- The South East received funding for five. They included creation of online assets such as photography, film and animation for West Sussex; virtual tours and photography in Surrey; and Suffolk reimagining its website’s user experience.
- In the South West, four projects were supported, including online space booking for Libraries Unlimited; a new website in Gloucestershire; and an online history and archive project for Southampton.
Awards were also given to three consortiums, accounting for 20 services around the country. Activities include:
- Ask for a Book - a website providing personalised book recommendations from librarians.
- A film and photography project - reflecting findings from user research, where people said they would be more likely to visit a library if they could see what the spaces and events looked like.
- Website upgrades which will help local libraries link up with LibraryOn.
Awarded projects
To purchase PTFS Aspen Discovery Platform providing one door access, an upgrade to our existing library website/catalogue bringing together physical stock, Borrowbox our Digital Library and our standalone local history website. This is central to our digital strategy and will deliver transformational change for the service.
Newcastle Libraries
The project will establish a bespoke Newcastle Libraries room hire website. This will allow hirers to search and discover the spaces; find information; take virtual tours; and submit bookings. It will enable staff to easily manage the spaces; handle bookings; build relationships with customers; and analyse usage reports.
Newham
To improve the online presence of Newham Libraries by making it easier for residents to find the website and to make it more useful once they have found it. We want residents to interact with the website to find out more about, and to increase usage of, our services.
Creation of a new green-hosted Oldham Libraries website, with amplified discoverability and appeal through integration with its partner services in Oldham's Heritage, Libraries and Arts section. The new website will also revolutionise the user experience, with the introduction of an image-led and intuitive information architecture, with bespoke interactive elements.
Sefton Libraries will create an advertising campaign. Working with local creatives, designing an imaginative and engaging campaign package which would work across a range of platforms to maximise our reach. We would use the adverts to reach out to non-users, digital only users and those unaware of our community offer.
Timeline
- 1 March 2023Fund launched and opened for Expressions of Interest
- 15 May 2023Deadline for full applications closed
- 12 June 2023Project delivery period began
- 22 December 2023Project delivery period ends