Successful applicants

Funded projects include;

Greenwich Leisure and Royal Borough of Greenwich have been awarded £125,121 to create Story Book Play: an indoor soft play facility built around the theme of children’s literature. Modelled on the outdoor play area in the Bibliotekshaven, Copenhagen, this will be the first of its kind in this country, installed in Eltham Library, Greenwich. It will bring play into the world of the library, recognising and expanding the role of play in children’s development.



Hull Culture and Leisure will receive £243,783 to create a space within the Central Library where anyone can explore their creativity in the arts, science and technology. Building on the enthusiasm and excitement of Hull City of Culture, the ‘Makerspace’ will have state-of-the-art digital and electronic equipment, and skilled staff providing support. The project will also include a mobile element with pop-up ‘Makerspaces’ happening across the city.

With £98,020 from the fund, Norfolk County Council will work with volunteers to support emergent readers aged 8+ to develop their skills. The project will use a one-to-one phonics based teaching tool to help non-readers to become fluent readers in six months or less, providing people with a skill that will support them at all stages of their life – whether it is for education, work or recreation.

Telford and Wrekin Council will receive £50,000 to test a learning club for the whole family across libraries and venues in the borough. It will challenge parents and carers to think about the technology that their children use and if it could be shared to benefit their learning and employment opportunities. The programme will be based in some of the most disadvantaged parts of Telford and Wrekin.



Bournemouth Library Service has been awarded £136,846 in partnership with five local authorities, Literature Works, The Reader and South Western Regional Library Service. They will run shared reading activities, a programme of cultural and creative events, a digital app and online resources to address disadvantage in literacy and digital skills, as well as creating volunteering and engagement opportunities across Bournemouth, Wiltshire, Dorset, Poole, South Gloucestershire and Bristol.

Download a full list of the successful applicants below.