£2.3m for libraries, museums and archives in Wales

The main focus of the funding will be to support museums, archives and libraries to widen access to their services and increase participation in culture, particularly for people living in some of Wales’ most deprived areas, so that more people can benefit from the varied services they offer.

The funding includes £1million to modernise six community libraries in Bala, Brecon, Cardiff, Haverfordwest, Holywell, and Merthyr Tydfil, It will be used to establish the libraries as new community hubs, where customers can access a range of other services such as housing or leisure facilities, as well as an extensive range of library amenities. It will help them to improve their services and attract new users.

The remaining funding will go towards broadening the digital offer of museums, archives and libraries – including expanding the National Digital Library Service, which allows customers to access a free e-books and e-zines service, as well as free audio books and free reference sources, wherever and whenever they want.

It will also support archive services across Wales to address the challenges of preserving our digital heritage.

Announcing the funding, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said:

“I am pleased that we are providing over £2.3million for our museums, archives and libraries. Breaking down barriers to participation in culture is at the heart of this funding, which is targeted at creating more opportunities for people all across Wales, particularly those who wouldn’t normally engage in culture, to enjoy the fascinating and exciting collections available across the country.

“This reiterates our commitment to protecting these important services despite significant cuts to our budget. We recently marked the modernisation of over 100 libraries in Wales, with over £14million invested to achieve this. The additional funding announced today builds on this success and will see even more communities benefit.”

The money will also go towards events and activities at museums, archives and libraries across Wales to attract new users, targeted at Communities First areas, as well as support for initiatives such as Kids in Museums and Every Child a Library Member, to encourage young people to engage with and develop a love of culture.

The funding will ensure that Welsh museums, archives and libraries deliver quality services, through accreditation and standards schemes.

The funding announcement comes as the Welsh Government publishes its first annual report for Welsh Libraries, which sets out the achievements of the last year and looks at the difference libraries make to people’s lives.

Libraries receiving a share of Welsh Government funding to modernise facilities are as follows:

STAR Centre Library Hub, Splott, Cardiff

The Welsh Government is providing £120,000 towards a new library as part of the community hub to be built on the site of the former Splott pool. The library will be part of a number of other co-located services, including housing advice, training facilities, leisure facilities and advice services from partner agencies such as CAB and a credit union. The library will also have ICT facilities, including free Wi-Fi and an onsite café.

STAR is an acronym for the communities in the catchment area of the Centre (Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath).

Holywell Library, Flintshire

£120,000 is being provided to relocate Holywell Library into the Leisure Centre to create a co-located hub offering a range of services. Co-location will provide a modern library space, longer opening hours, activity spaces, improved ICT, including free Wi-Fi and learning spaces. The co-location facility will make the library more convenient to busy people and attract new users such as parents taking children to use the leisure activities.

Bala Library, Gwynedd

£120,000 is being provided to modernise Bala Library. The library will be co-located in the new 3-19 Learning Campus, which is a 21st Century Schools project, alongside other community facilities, including a digital cinema. This will increase the library space and opening hours, and will also provide flexible learning and cultural opportunities.

Rhydycar Library, Merthyr Tydfil

£100,000 is being provided to significantly enhance the library provision at Rhydycar and move within a co-located facility. The refurbishment will dramatically extend the library’s footprint within the leisure hub and extend its opening hours. It is expected to attract new audiences as a result, particularly young people and families. The modernised space within the leisure centre will allow it to hold more cultural and learning activities for the community.

Haverfordwest County Library, Pembrokeshire

£285,000 will be provided to re-locate and modernise the Haverfordwest County Library. This cultural and heritage centre will have a new exhibition gallery created in partnership with the National Library of Wales, integrated partnership tourist information provision  and a Life Hub zone with access to financial, digital, health and wellbeing information. Improved children’s spaces, ICT facilities and a café will also be available to attract the local community and visitors.

Brecon Area Library Cultural Hub, Powys

£250,000 will be provided to relocate Brecon library to a new cultural hub alongside museum, gallery, tourist information and community facilities. The new library will provide improved facilities particularly for the elderly, disabled and families, and will increase library space by 40%.