£150,000 programme launched to support public library projects

Library: Picture credit - Strevo/Flickr

A new £150,000 programme has been launched to support innovative public library projects across the UK and Ireland.

Engaging Libraries is led by Carnegie UK Trust working in partnership with Wellcome, the world’s largest medical research charity.  

It is designed to help public libraries bring people together to inspire curiosity, spark debate and create conversations on health and wellbeing. 

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Martyn Evans, chief executive of the Carnegie UK Trust said: “Public libraries provide a safe, trusted space at the hearts of communities.

“They are well placed for engaging the public in health and wellbeing and already make a significant positive contribution to the cultural and physical health of communities.

“We are excited to be working with Wellcome to develop and deliver a new programme that builds on the existing assets of public libraries.”

The one-year project will run from October 2017 and will support up to ten projects. 

Applications will be open from 2 May until 23 August 2017 and library staff interested in applying are invited to a workshop where they can receive further information and support to develop ideas. 

Carnegie UK Trust’s founder, Andrew Carnegie, built over 600 libraries across the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Trust continues to deliver a wide range of programmes to support public libraries.

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council and a member of the project Advisory Group said: “The Engaging Libraries initiative is a great opportunity for libraries to be creative and experimental in designing a health and wellbeing engagement activity that they have not have tried before. 

“Libraries are becoming increasingly innovative in how they engage with users and assist them with the challenges they face. We look forward to receiving an inspiring range of ideas from applicants across Scotland.”