Grants
Round 2

Improving the online presence and discoverability of libraries in Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness (previously Cumbria Libraries) and enhancing the digital integration of services to increase membership numbers, increase digital application and resource usage and improve the customer journey. We will support the wider digital transformation of the library sector and improve our digital offer with the introduction of a library mobile app. We will also increase the inclusivity and accessibility of our libraries, resources, and activities through the introduction of virtual library tours.

Discover Halton Libraries Through Digital is a project that aims to increase and enhance the discoverability and usage of Halton Libraries online resources, library catalogue and e-content through integration of Aspen Discovery Tool into our Library Management System (Koha). The project will increase the ease of customer engagement and discoverability by streamlining the user journey between the library catalogue, website, and its wide range of online resources and materials. Users will benefit from an improved interface designed to enable greater access to a wider range of resources.

A community co-produced virtual tour project that would add subtitled virtual tours and audio tours to our online platforms. The tours would see existing library users navigate getting to libraries from local transport stops, getting around the library spaces and locating resources within the library. As well as making it easier for new customers to access libraries, the tours will also give an honest account of accessibility through the eyes of our users, identifying where improvements can be made and identifying a framework with which we can hold ourselves accountable to achieve change.

Our aim is the creation of a bespoke room booking website for Hillingdon Libraries bookable spaces. The platform will promote these spaces, allowing hirers to find and explore them online, check availability, enquire and submit bookings. It will also streamline current processes and enable staff to manage bookings, customer information and payments more efficiently as well as analysing spaces performance.

The project will create an online platform for Kent Libraries, offering virtual tours of our public library spaces and room booking facilities. We aim to showcase our spaces and facilities online, building awareness of our physical service points. This will support accessibility of our service by raising the knowledge and familiarity of our libraries ahead of visiting, for those who might otherwise lack the confidence to do so. Another benefit of offering virtual tours of our facilities is that they will provide a platform to raise awareness across communities of rooms within our buildings that are available to hire for groups, individuals and organisations.