READING Borough Council has announced that library users are set to see nearly £500,000 of investment following a new grant.
It has earmarked £495,000 of funding which was awarded by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, and delivered by the Arts Council.
It will be used to invest in improvements to libraries across the borough, including investment in the digital access to books and services.
Planned upgrades include the provision of tablets which can be borrowed and taken home, equipment to host and stream online events.
There are also plans for equipment to be provided for helping young people to learn more about computer sciences and coding.
Self-service equipment is among the proposals, allowing automatic checking in and out of books, as well as intelligent shelving allowing instant and direct checkout, and interactive and sensory tables in Central Library.
Donna Pentelow, Reading Borough Council’s Assistant director of culture said: “We are grateful for the significant funding from Arts Council England that has been announced for Reading’s libraries, which will mean so much across our communities, library members and our staff.”
“Libraries offer a vital lifeline to local communities, providing services which span the generations and embrace the diversity of our local population and its wide variety of needs regardless of background or financial status.”
“They’re not just here to lend books, they are busy, vibrant, crucial centres of activity, supporting child and adult literacy, as well offering a variety of creative events for young and old.”
“The traditional view of libraries as a place to borrow books or a quiet place to study is being superseded by a growing appreciation that libraries are evolving and this significant funding will expand our digital and technology offering – giving residents even more reasons to visit.”
