Bristol Libraries has launched a new fund to help community groups develop innovative ideas for their local library.

The Library Innovation Fund was launched at the Citywide Friends’ Group Meeting last night, and will see just over £100,000 split between the city’s 27 libraries.

The fund will enable communities to lead on putting the ideas they have about their local library and the library building into action.

Projects could range from buying furniture or equipment to funding activities such as creative writing workshops. It could also be used as match funding for a larger project.

There are now Friends’ Groups at 16 Bristol libraries, with many of these being set up as a direct result of the community engagement sessions which took place earlier this year.

Where there are no existing Friends’ Groups, the library service is actively working with local residents to support them to bring ideas forward.

A thousand pounds from the fund will be allocated to each Friends’ Group, with a further £3,000 available for each library, with bids accepted from community groups, local businesses and individuals.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Asher Craig, who has responsibility for the library service, said: “As part of our continued commitment to the library service, we are giving local people the chance to improve their local libraries and implement the ideas they would like to see.

“This is a new funding opportunity for friends’ groups and community organisations to work in partnership to make improvements to their local library.

“The fund will enable communities to take the lead on putting their ideas into action.

“We are delighted there are now 16 Friends’ Groups across the city, but we want all communities to benefit from this fund so it will be open to community organisations and partner organisations who are keen to work with residents to bring ideas to life.”

Applications for funding will open later this month and run until October 2020, with all the projects completed by December 2020. Projects and ideas will be assessed monthly by a cross council panel with final approval at the Library Ideas Project Board.

To find out more go to www.bristol.gov.uk/libraries-archives/apply-for-funding-for-ideas-for-yo...