£152,000 ACE digital grant for public libraries

Arts Council England has awarded £152,000 to public library services to help meet increased demand for digital materials during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each of England’s 150 library services will receive £1000, with a further £2000 going to the membership body Libraries Connected, which will distribute the funds.

The money will go towards buying in-demand e-books and e-audio products such as children’s books, health and wellbeing, craft and cookery, and popular fiction.

The funding follows a similar ACE grant in April 2020 which awarded £151,000, and aims to support libraries' efforts to reach more users online.

ACE libraries director Sue Williamson said: “Now more than ever, with so many families home schooling, we know how important it is to have access to digital resources.  

“Many people have found reading and listening to audio books during the pandemic a huge support and we hope that this investment will benefit many households across the country.”