The Arts Council have announced new funding for libraries totaling more than half a million pounds.

It says this will build £2m already invested to enable libraries in England to provide free Wifi and £2m as part of its grants for the arts libraries fund.

In partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians £300,000 will be invested over the next two years to develop activities under the headings of reading, information, digital, health and learning.

The Arts Council England is also partnering with the Wellcome Trust to develop health and wellbeing initiatives in local communities.

Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: 'Our 21st century libraries are cultural hubs at the beating heart of communities up and down the country.

'Importantly, the libraries of today are still centres for books and reading, but they're also digitally connected places of learning, knowledge and discovery, providing access to an astonishing range of services freely available for everyone to use.'