COMMUNITY organisations, charities, town and parish councils, and local partners are being invited to apply for funding to help transform libraries into more accessible, welcoming and inclusive community spaces.

Devon County Council is launching two new grant programmes as part of its wider investment in the future of libraries, creating opportunities for communities to develop local activities, improve library spaces and strengthen libraries as community hubs.

The grants are available through the new Re-imagined Library Spaces Fund and Enhanced Library Offers Fund, which together provide £300,000 of investment for projects that improve access, strengthen community connections and create new opportunities for people to use and benefit from their local library.

The Re-imagined Library Spaces Fund has a total value of £200,000 and will provide grants of up to £20,000 for projects that improve library buildings and related community spaces. Funding can support improvements that make spaces more welcoming and inclusive, enable stronger partnership working, improve accessibility, create more flexible community facilities and help libraries become sustainable community hubs.

Expressions of interest for the first round of the Re-imagined Library Spaces Fund will close on Tuesday, December 15, with a second round opening in January 2027.

Alongside this, the Enhanced Library Offers Fund will make £100,000 available for smaller-scale projects, activities and events. Grants of up to £1,000 will support community organisations and partners to deliver activities that bring more people into libraries, encourage participation, improve inclusion and add value to existing library services.

All grant funding awarded through the two programmes must be spent by Christmas 2027.

The funding is open to a wide range of organisations, including Friends of Library groups, community and voluntary organisations, charities, community interest companies, social enterprises and town and parish councils. Partnership applications are particularly encouraged.

Successful projects will be expected to demonstrate clear community benefit and support Devon County Council's vision for libraries as trusted, welcoming and inclusive spaces at the heart of local communities.

Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Equality Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin (Lib Dem, Torrington Rural) said: “Libraries are about much more than books.

“They are trusted community spaces where people can access services, learn new skills, connect with others and take part in activities that improve health and wellbeing.

"These new funds will give communities and local organisations the opportunity to help shape the future of their local library, whether through larger projects that re-imagine how library spaces are used or smaller initiatives that bring people together and encourage more residents to make use of these valuable community assets.

"We want to support innovative ideas that improve access, strengthen community connections and help libraries continue to thrive at the heart of our towns and villages."

Applications will be assessed on their potential community impact, deliverability, value for money and contribution to the wider objectives of the programme. Projects that demonstrate strong partnership working, inclusion and lasting benefits for local people are likely to be prioritised.