Libraries fund open for applications

Public libraries are being urged to apply for a share of £6m funding, in a bid to get local people involved with arts and cultural activities.

The Arts Council England grants has opened for applications today and will run until March 2015.

Culture minister Ed Vaizey said: ‘There is a lot of great work going on in libraries and the best library authorities are already finding ways to innovate, join together with cultural organisations and discover new ways of engaging their users. I very much hope that these grants will help more libraries to come up with exciting, forward looking projects.’

From next month, the Arts Council will host a series of regional workshops and briefing sessions on the fund for public library staff.