Grand re-opening of Enfield Town Library after £5m refurbishment
Sir Andrew Motion, Chair of the MLA, was a guest of honour in Enfield to celebrate the fantastic renovation and reopening of the much-loved, historic Enfield Town Library.
> Read more about enfield library openingReport highlights heritage tourism's contribution
A new report published by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and endorsed by the MLA reveals for the first time the scale of the heritage tourism industry, estimating its GDP contribution to be £20.6 billion.
> Read more about HLF new report180 events confirmed so far for the after-hours campaign
The MLA funded Museums at Night campaign 2010 (May 14-16) is gaining momentum with nearly 180 events confirmed already.
> Read more about museums at nightNew pilot scheme launches to sign-up newborns for library cards
Proud new parents will be offered the chance to sign up their newborns for a library card, whilst registering their birth, in a brand new pilot scheme starting today.
> Read more about newborn's library cardsCulture24 rates high on The Times and The Guardian top website lists
Culture24 website is celebrated as a favourite online cultural resource, featuring in The Times and The Guardian's top website lists
> Read more about culture24Four regional hub museums shortlisted for Art Fund Prize 2010
A list of eleven museums and galleries are in the running to win the £100,000 Art Fund Prize, the UK’s largest single arts prize
> Read more about hub museums shortlisted National launch of Get It Loud In Libraries
The national launch of Get It Loud In Libraries starts this March with the bright, young and talented Daisy Dares You
> Read more about music in librariesNew figures show Titchmarch tops the top 10 romantic reads borrowed from libraries
Alan Titchmarsh is the king of romance for library book borrowers, reveal figures released from the Public Lending Right (PLR).
> Read more about top library booksLibrary of Birmingham and the BFI will offer visitors access to historic film collection
Library of Birmingham will feature the British Film Institute (BFI) Mediatheque when it opens in summer 2013.
> Read more about Birmingham library and BFIPoet opens new Yate library, composing a verse for the occasion
Yate Library in South Gloucestershire was officially re-opened by the poet John Hegley last Wednesday, January 27 2010, after a £1.5 million makeover made possible by a Big Lottery Find grant.
> Read more about Yate library openingThe National Apprenticeship Week - 1- 5 February 2010 celebrates the benefits of apprenticeships.
The Creative Apprenticeship Scheme makes a tangible difference to museums and participants. The National Apprenticeship Week - 1- 5 February 2010 celebrates the benefits of apprenticeships.
> Read more about national apprenticeship weekKey participation statistics released giving district level data for first time.
Key data on public participation in museum and library services in all 353 English local authority areas has been released for the first time
> Read more about key district level statsMajor investment by the council in two new public libraries
With the recent opening of Yate Library and the opening of Staple Hill Library earlier this year, the residents have two new state-of-the-art buildings which will be of huge benefit to the local communities.
> Read more about yate libraryMuseums and library among this year's Jodi Award winners
The Jodi Awards celebrate the best use of digital technology in the service of access to culture for disabled people, this year they have been extended this year to arts organisations and individual artists.
> Read more about Jodi_resultsBoard will help implement the Learning Revolution White Paper
The Adult Learners Board, which has met for the first time, will help develop informal adult learning priorities for the MLA.
> Read more about boardSpace for the community at refurbished library thanks to Big Lottery Fund
The newly refurbished Great Yarmouth Community Library now has more books, DVDs and video games to borrow, as well as 42 flat-screen computers.
> Read more about Great YarmouthIpswich's newest library includes eye-catching exhibits
Local people have been involved in the project, part of the Big Lottery Fund's Community Libraries programme, from the beginning to ensure the it meets the needs of the community.
> Read more about gainsborough£7.5m refurbishment aims to take library past one million users mark
Staff welcomed more than 17,000 visitors in its first week of operation with new features, such as the British Film Institute’s (BFI) Mediatheque – the first in a UK library.
> Read more about CambridgeSurvey responses needed for tourism research project
The research will help the cultural sector engage with key tourism partners and that the sector's contribution to tourism is appropriately developed and articulated.
> Read more about tourism surveyTalks, tours and exhibitions give the public a chance to reinterpret the past
Archives across the country team up with local groups and communities to focus on the rich and diverse heritage of air travel, migration, human endeavour and more.
> Read more about Archive awarenessMelton Mowbray launches Community Health and Wellbeing Service
Partnership between Leicestershire Library Service and the NHS will give library users health information and advice on staying fit.
> Read more about Melton MowbrayArchive services will showcase how they are developing new working practice.
Archive Pace Setter is led by the National Council on Archives, in partnership with other strategic bodies, including the MLA.
> Read more about Archive pacesetterNorton Canes village now has a community hub villagers can be proud of.
The new library's services now include activities for all ages, free computer and internet access and meeting rooms available for booking.
> Read more about Norton CanesJoint site for Wharton Library and community facilities
As well as traditional public library facilities such as books, reference sources and internet access, Wharton has an ICT suite, social area, extensive community areas.
> Read more about Wharton Historic reading rooms will be restored to old glory and archives given new storage.
The aim is to create a building which is a heritage attraction in its own right with historic areas restored and new features that include an atrium dome and new café.
> Read more about Liverpool CentralJodi Awards welcome nominations
Nominations are now being sought for the Jodi Awards 2009. The awards are for museums, libraries, archives and other arts organisations that use digital technology to widen access for disabled people.
> Read more about jodi awardsMoss Side Powerhouse library is smarter, safer and more high-tech
Young library users were consulted, by Manchester Library Services, about all aspects of the design and marketing of the project.
> Read more about Moss SideThe popularity of Shepherd's Bush Library is reflected in the latest membership figures
Since being opened by Jeremy Paxman a month ago there has been a 700% increase in membership of the library compared to a year ago.
> Read more about Shepherds Bush2Joint project between Bolton Council and NHS Bolton
Purpose-built £1.1m Breightmet library shares the same building as heatlh facilities thanks to Big Lottery Fund grant.
> Read more about Breightmet libraryPollards Hill library is now a third bigger
Merton council receives a £1m grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Libraries programme – the largest single, successful funding bid in the library service’s history.
> Read more about Pollards HillNortholt library benefits from Big Lottery Fund money
Local community plays its part in choosing facilities and services for the library in £1.5m refurbishment.
> Read more about Northolt libraryOne of the borough's largest library gets a revamp
Halton Lea library, in Runcorn, gets £1.4m for refurbishment including a new cafe and community facilities.
> Read more about Halton LeaEvidence shows how sector can boost numeracy
Museums, libraries and archives can be made to count in the drive to improve adult numeracy
> Read more about numeracy skillsShepherd's Bush library cost the local taxpayer nothing
The new £2m library at Westfield Shopping Centre was built and fitted out at the centre's owners at their own expense as part of a Section 106 Planning Agreement.
> Read more about Shepherds BushMLA is working with the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) on Small is Beautiful
Smaller services delivering best practice have the opportunity to participate in a project to inspire others and demonstrate the importance of the museum, library and archive sector
> Read more about small is beautifulBuilding Schools for the Future publishes Culture Guidance
New guidance document by Partnerships for Schools, aimed at local authorities, schools and cultural partners helps to promote the role that culture can play in transforming education
> Read more about bsf culture guidanceNominations now open for the Jaguar Land Rover Awards for Arts & Business 2009
The MLA Arts & Business Museums, Libraries and Archives Award will celebrate and showcase the best examples of business partnerships with a museum, library or archive in the Midlands.
> Read more about jaguar land rover awardsHavant, Hayling Island and Leigh Park libraries refurbished
Hampshire’s Learning, Engagement and Adult Development (LEAD) project aims to establish facilities for adult learning and community activities.
> Read more about HampshireFunding means new meeting room and community garden
Thanks to a £1.5m Big Lottery Fund grant the library has not only had a makeover but has been extended to create a more family friendly space.
> Read more about ManninghamNew building £4.7m has state-of-the-art archive facilities
The town centre site now houses the town's library and eight centuries of historic archives under one roof.
> Read more about HuntingdonTwo county libraries are in the news
A design award and the opening of another lottery-funded library have made this a busy few weeks for Buckinghamshire Library Service.
> Read more about Bucks Library staff help families with autistic children
Staff offer practical help, in partnership with a specialist team of autism and speech and language specialists at monthly sessions available at 16 of Leeds’s 53 libraries.
> Read more about Leeds awardNorth Somerset library has been greatly expanded
This library, in Weston-super-Mare, used to operate from the foyer of the centre and expansion has enabled it to increase the number of loans including books and CDs to more than 5,500, plus 10 public access computers.
> Read more about Weston libraryImprovements at Lees Library will benefit the whole community
Lottery funding for Lees Library, in Oldham, will see a range of new facilities including lifelong learning classes and an after-school homework centre.
> Read more about Lees LibraryActress turned singer, Juliette Lewis, performs for Get it Loud
Hollywood actress, Juliette Lewis, gave a sell-out show at Morecambe Library. She is the latest in a line of impressive acts to perform as part of the Get it Loud project for Lancashire Libraries.
> Read more about morecambe libraryNewbold Verdon is the first funded by partnership of MLA and the Big Lottery Fund
The Community Libraries programme, a partnership between MLA and the Big Lottery Fund, marks its first success as Newbold Verdon library opens.
> Read more about newbold£1.1m lottery-funded refubishment for library
New library is twice the size of the previous one with more convenient opening times and a range of new facilities to suit different users.
> Read more about Mowbray GardensMPs pledge of discovery
MPs heard more about the work of the sector at a House of Commons reception hosted by Culture Minister Barbara Follet where they were introduced to the MLA's new regional field team.
> Read more about houses of learningLeicestershire's newest library officially opened
Oadby library is the latest to benefit from Leicestershire County Council’s £8 million investment plans for its library service.
> Read more about oadbyThe debate about the relevance of Social Return on Investment
Professional's view of SROI as an outcome measurement and performance management tool needed
> Read more about SROIUniversity of Nottingham collections receive 'Designation' status
Collections in The University of Nottingham’s Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections have been recognised by the MLA and awarded Designation status
> Read more about nottingham collectionsState of the art library has so much to offer
Newcastle City Library has attracted 4,000 visitors on its first day of opening. Built on the site of the former City Library the six-floor building includes a 185-seat performance space, meeting rooms and crèche facilities.
> Read more about Newcastle opensThe Princess Royal opens £10m library
Visitors and new members have increased dramatically since Swindon's Central Library opened to the public in October 2008.
> Read more about Swindon libraryAllenton, Cippenham and Haslingden libraries all benefit from BIG Lottery funding
May has seen another three libraries, one newly-opened the others restored and renovated thanks to the Big Lottery Fund and its partnership with the MLA.
> Read more about CippenhamCulture Secretary orders local Inquiry into public library service in the Wirral
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has today (Friday 3 April) intervened in the public dispute about proposed library closures in the Wirral.
> Read more about wirralPop songstress shows teenagers how it's done
VV Brown, who has written hits for Madonna and Sugababes, held two song writing classess at libraries in Lancashire.
> Read more about vv brownCommunity housing project includes new library
Sunderland City Council contributes £2m towards the housing complex scheme which includes a modern library.
> Read more about silksworthHavering library produces its own electricity
The new Elm Park Library, which scooped a sustainable design and construction award in the Havering Business Awards, will be the borough’s greenest building.
> Read more about elm parkLibrary scoops top honours in building awards scheme
The Institution of Structural Engineers honours branch library.
> Read more about WymondhamConstruction work on the new Wednesfield library is underway
£2.2m library building will be funded by Wolverhampton City Council and the Big Lottery Fund.
> Read more about wednesfieldPlans for £14m inverted pyramid at Canada Water
A library in the shape of an inverted pyramid will partly overhang the Canada Water basin in London.
> Read more about canada waterRefurbishment boosts book loans
Warsop library's £190,000 investment is the 15th Nottinghamshire library to be modernised in the past four years.
> Read more about warsopIntegrated public and university library proposed
The £60m joint project between Worcestershire County Council and the University of Worcester is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe.
> Read more about worcester libraryStoke's new library has been officially opened.
Stoke Local Service Centre, which includes a library, one-stop shop and training and conference facilities, has doubled visitor numbers.
> Read more about stokeDesigns unveiled for new city centre library
MLA Chief Executive Roy Clare has hailed plans for a new central library in Birmingham as "a flagship among libraries serving the communities of the city"
> Read more about BirminghamA look at some of the country's most attractive library buildings
Both traditional and modern there are great examples of library architecture to be found in England.
> Read more about lovelyBold poster campaign by Leeds Libraries
An eye-catching poster campaign launched by Leeds library service aims to boost visitor numbers
> Read more about postersLibrary back in business after devastating fire
Ramsgate library has undergone a complete restoration retaining its historic character with modern updates.
> Read more about RamsgateMLA writes to English MPs
The MLA and the Arts Council have written to MPs encouraging them to show their support for World Book Day and to raise awareness of public libraries.
> Read more about world