Newbold Verdon, the first of 58 ‘Lotto’ libraries planned throughout the country, has opened its doors for the first time.
The first of the new wave of libraries Newbold Verdon, on the outskirts of Leicester, received £781,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Libraries programme.
In total 58 libraries will receive a share of £80m thanks to a joint partnership between the Fund and the MLA.
The programme has funded the transformation of the chosen libraries so that traditional library services can be combined with other local services such as learning centres, One Stop Shops, health initiatives and space for community activities, all under one roof.
Community resource
Leicestershire County Council has built a library and community centre which will also be a base for the youth service, voluntary groups and the wider community and includes a computer suite, advice services and, from next summer, a reading garden.
Roy Clare MLA Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to see that the partnership between the MLA and the Big Lottery Fund has led to the successful opening of Newbold Verdon library.
“Leicestershire library service has really engaged with the consumer and the community to offer, alongside books and other resources, a new library with even greater opportunities for learning, training and advice. We would like to see these approaches copied by more library services around the country and we look forward to many more BIG funded community libraries like this opening in the near future.”
Shining example
Sanjay Dighe, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund England Committee, said: “Libraries sit at the heart of our communities so are ideally placed to host a range of important local services. The Newbold Verdon building is a shining example for the other libraries to follow.
“These new improved libraries are equipped to offer a range of services beyond their traditional role, all vital to local communities, particularly at this time of financial uncertainty.”
In October 2007, BIG’s Community Libraries programme awarded local library authorities between £250,000 and £2m to renovate, extend or build new facilities that offer a broader range of activities to their communities.
April 3, 2009