Second round of Microgrants announced
Congratulations to the recipients of our second round of Arts Council England-funded microgrants!
The 12 successful projects include a pop-up library at a Traveller site in Bristol, a manga exhibition in Northumberland, singalong sessions in a rural Cornish community and a scheme bringing older people together to play carrom, a tabletop game popular throughout South Asia.
The microgrants programme, funded by Arts Council England, awards grants of £1-5k to support small-scale projects in public libraries. With a straightforward application process and light-touch reporting, the aim is to build capacity and confidence within the public library sector to apply for larger sums of investment, from Arts Council England and other funders.
The programme was open to public libraries in England, including prison and school libraries that are run by public library services. The third and final round of applications is now being considered.
Full list of microgrant recipients (round two)
| Library Service | Project | Grant amount (£) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackpool library service | Spot On in Blackpool | 4,800 | The project in Blackpool aims to bring high-quality cultural experiences to communities outside the town centre by partnering with Spot On Lancashire. Three libraries—Anchorsholme, Layton, and Moor Park—will host live arts performances and receive ongoing support and training. This initiative aligns with Blackpool’s cultural strategy and seeks to develop a sustainable cultural offer, enhancing community engagement and staff skills. |
| Bolton library service | Carrom Club | 2,000 | The Bolton Carrom Club project aims to connect communities and combat loneliness by setting up Carrom clubs in three libraries. This intergenerational game, originating from India, promotes cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination, and social interaction. Partnering with Age UK and City of Sanctuary, the clubs will offer drop-in sessions for families, teenagers, and socially isolated men, fostering inclusivity and community ties. |
| Bristol library service | Working with GRT communities in Bristol | 5,000 | This project aims to improve library engagement with Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities in Bristol, who have historically had low library usage due to factors such as digital exclusion and low literacy rates. The initiative focuses on creating accessible library resources, including dual language (Romani/Romanian and English) books and large print editions, to better serve these communities. Key activities include setting up a 'pop-up library' at St Anthony’s site, organising book/gift giveaways, and creating ‘library in a bag’ kits for families at various sites. The project also seeks to collaborate with local practitioners to enhance outreach and engagement. |
| Cheshire West & Chester library service | Let's Get Ready For School resource bags | 2,128 | The project in Cheshire West and Chester aims to support families with children starting primary school by providing school book bags containing picture books and informational leaflets. These resources will be available for borrowing from ten libraries in the borough, focusing on areas with high family stress indicators. The initiative promotes inclusivity and accessibility, offering materials in multiple languages and formats, and aims to ease the transition to school for both children and parents. |
| Cornwall library service | Sing Happy - Callington Library Choir 65+ | 3,000 | The ‘Sing Happy’ project aims to reduce rural and social isolation for people aged 65+ in Callington and nearby hamlets through free, fortnightly singing sessions. Partnering with local organisations, the sessions will provide a safe, welcoming space for social connection, improved mood and overall wellbeing. |
| Derbyshire library service | Neurodiverse Friendly Libraries | 5,000 | Heanor Library aims to enhance support for neurodiverse individuals and those with special educational needs (SEN) through various initiatives. The project includes creating a sensory-friendly environment, providing accessible resources like braille and dyslexia-friendly books, and offering suitable events such as autism-friendly story times. Staff will receive neurodiversity awareness training to become ‘Neurodiverse Champions,’ ensuring inclusive and accessible services for all library users. |
| Knowsley library service | Autism Project | 1,700 | Knowsley Libraries will enhance support for children with autism by expanding autism-friendly sessions and creating a more inclusive environment. The project includes staff training, sensory resource packs, and a booklist featuring characters with autism. By consulting with families and collaborating with local agencies, the initiative aims to make libraries a supportive space for children with autism and their families. |
| Lancashire library service | Early on-set dementia support in libraries | 4,000 | Lancashire Library Service is launching a project to make libraries more inclusive for people with early-onset dementia. Partnering with the Alzheimer’s Society, the project will establish monthly peer-led activity groups in East Lancashire, incorporating music, crafts, art, and socialisation. The aim is to provide a safe, supportive space for individuals under 65 with dementia and their carers, reducing isolation and improving wellbeing through tailored activities. |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne library service | Our Culture: Community Bookshelves | 5,000 | Newcastle Libraries will create “community bookshelves” to improve diversity in book stock and support ethnically diverse residents, refugees, and migrants. Inspired by Manchester Libraries' See Myself in Books project, the initiative will involve consultation sessions to select books that celebrate different cultures and languages. The project aims to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity, with additional activities like multi-lingual storytelling and new reading groups to enhance community engagement. |
| Northumberland library service | Make Mine Manga | 5,000 | The Northumberland Libraries project aims to promote reading for pleasure and cultural diversity by focusing on comics, graphic novels, and manga. Hosting a Make Mine Manga exhibition in Hexham and Berwick upon Tweed, the project will expand the manga collection and offer workshops on manga-style drawing. Collaborating with Newcastle University and local schools, the initiative will also provide training for staff and teachers, fostering a broader appreciation for the genre and enhancing library engagement across the county. |
| Stockton-on-Tees library service | S&DR Bicentenary Community Quilt | 5,000 | The community fringe project, linked to the Stockton & Darlington Railway Bicentenary celebrations, aims to connect people through local history and creative activities. It will engage participants in designing and creating a Community Quilt, showcasing railway heritage, while addressing social isolation and digital exclusion. The project will also provide skill-building opportunities and culminate in an exhibition and podcast series to celebrate and document the community's contributions. |
| Wigan library service | Library In A Bag | 4,902 | The Library In A Bag project in Wigan aims to increase awareness and usage of library services among residents, particularly those facing deprivation and worklessness. Branded tote bags containing books, activity sheets, membership forms, and information about library and council services will be distributed at various community venues. This initiative seeks to enhance literacy, digital skills and social confidence, while promoting the diverse offerings of Wigan's 15 libraries. |