Grants round three

Round three offered a further £400,000 for public libraries in England to improve their online presence and discoverability.

Submissions are now closed

Overview

The third round of our grants programme closed at the beginning of November 2025. We had just over £400,000 available and applicants could apply for the following project types:

• Join your library

• Self-service

• Innovative engagement

Grants were available for between £10,000 and £30,000, with activity required to take place between November 2025 and March 2026.

We received 29 eligible applications. Following a robust decision-making process, we awarded funding to 15 projects.

Awards breakdown

Of the 15 awards, two are for join your library projects, eight for self-service and five for innovative engagement.

Geographically, the split was:

• Six awards in the North

• One award in the Midlands

• Five awards in London

• Two awards in the South East

• One award in the South West

Included in the northern awards was a consortium application on behalf of Greater Manchester Libraries.

Below you can explore the projects in detail as described by each applicant.

Awarded projects

Barbican & Community Libraries, City of London Corporation

Grant awarded: £30,000 · Region: London

A nationally available reading app that guides users through a personalised adventure in books, allowing them to set reading goals, explore recommendations, meet challenges, and find information on their local library service—all in one place. The perfect tool for people who want to get back into reading for pleasure and for the library services who want to support them.

Cambridgeshire Libraries

Grant awarded: £14,000 · Region: South East

The project will upgrade the online public catalogue, integrating it with a new LMS and library app. Key enhancements will include a new events module, improved web integration, streamlined content, and better accessibility. This enables seamless connection with LibraryOn, following successful models like Southampton Libraries. We’ll be the first UK service to fully integrate with the LMS mobile app, boosting digital engagement. Staff training will ensure sustainability and confidence. Additional improvements include online booking and payments, a unified digital presence for library and cultural services, and retiring outdated websites—enhancing efficiency and user experience.

Cheshire West & Chester

Grant awarded: £20,000 · Region: North

Creating virtual tours for libraries to improve accessibility and promotion and setting up an online room booking system to help maximise the use and commercial potential of community spaces. Allowing users to find information and book online. Streamlining booking processes for users and library teams.

Kirklees Libraries

Grant awarded: £16,800 · Region: North

This project aims to create engaging and informative virtual tours for the whole library estate (24 libraries) and to showcase the new library Makerspace. This will connect with existing social stories, created as part of the service commitment for locations to be Autism friendly, and allow potential users an inclusive way to explore our offer remotely.

Knowsley Library Service

Grant awarded: £27,938 · Region: North

Open a Book, Open the World will transform library visits into immersive journeys of discovery using Virtual Reality (VR) and interactive digital tools. Visitors will be able to explore destinations such as Antarctica, Machu Picchu, or the Apollo 11 moon landing, linking these experiences to books and resources that spark deeper learning. Alongside this, a new interactive library app will offer QR-code trails, and digital treasure hunts, encouraging playful exploration for all ages. By blending technology, storytelling and curiosity, the project will attract new users, re-engage lapsed ones and showcase libraries as vibrant spaces for imagination and connection.

London Borough of Barnet

Grant awarded: £16,950 · Region: London

This project will create an online room booking system and digital library tours for all libraries in the borough. This will help to raise the profile of libraries in Barnet, enhancing the discoverability of all community facilities they offer. The addition of online tours enables residents to view and understand the layout of each library in advance of a visit, which will help to reach neurodiverse residents. This will further the aim to be an accessible service, and to achieve Dementia Friendly Venue status for all Barnet libraries. The booking system and Library Tours will link to the LibraryOn website.

Nottingham City Libraries

Grant awarded: £12,000 · Region: Midlands

This project will improve how people engage with Nottingham City Libraries, both online and in person. It will improve Nottingham City Libraries’ website accessibility and events section, making it easier for customers to browse, share, and plan visits. These updates will also help connect the full events programme to the LibraryOn platform. In the library, touchscreen devices running the Arena Library Companion app will be installed, allowing visitors to search the catalogue, join the library and access FAQs and events. This will reduce barriers to joining, support self-service during unstaffed hours, and make events easier to find.

Salford Libraries (on behalf of Greater Manchester Libraries consortium)

Grant awarded: £16,710 · Region: North

This project enhances the Greater Manchester Libraries consortium’s shared LMS by integrating UKSLC codes to improve online catalogue functionality and user experience. UKSLC enables intuitive browsing by genre and subject, supporting reader development and consistent cataloguing across authorities. The upgrade will be promoted through a coordinated outreach campaign across eleven library services, showcasing improved OPAC webpages and shared e-resources. The initiative aligns with LibraryOn’s goals by enhancing discoverability, creating smoother user journeys, making it easier for the public to access and engage with library services.

Sefton Library & Information Services

Grant awarded: £29,000 · Region: North

This project will create a bespoke bookable events platform accessible via the library catalogue and website. The system would streamline the customer journey; customers will be able to book onto events with minimum staff assistance. The development will make library events visible through the website, catalogue and link to LibraryOn encouraging new and existing customers to attend library events. Highlighting bookable events will promote use of Sefton Libraries and increase the scope of revenue-generating events. The new booking system will be shared with other library services using the same open-source platform at no additional cost.

Southampton City Libraries & Archives

Grant awarded: £11,041 · Region: South West

The project will transform the library and archive web catalogue with a commissioned discovery layer and schedule of promotions throughout 2026. It will introduce a slimline online membership process primarily focused on new library members joining as part of National Year of Reading, as well as enhance the experience for users with a designed and curated APP experience. The project will integrate with the Library On website for containers through specified API integration, and train staff to maintain these resources as part of their daily roles to ensure longevity. The branding, resources and containers created will also be available for other Spydus 11 users.

St Helens Library Service

Grant awarded: £21,500 · Region: North

This project will upgrade St Helen’s Library Management System to Aspen with the LiDA mobile app to enhance customer registration and resource discoverability. The project modernises the front-facing portal, streamlining new member onboarding and improving catalogue search functionality. Integration of Hublet tablets and self-service machines will create a seamless customer journey, bridging digital exploration with physical visits. This transformation aims to reduce staff workload, increase user independence, and provide a contemporary library experience that meets modern expectations for accessibility and convenience.

Sutton Council Cultural Service

Grant awarded: £22,500 · Region: London

This project will commission London Borough of Sutton’s Library App provider to develop a challenges feature on their children’s app, to digitise the Summer in Sutton reading and wellbeing challenge, piloted in 2025. This year, the traditional Summer Reading Challenge was expanded by creating a challenge for children that engaged them in several ways to wellbeing. They completed challenges across four categories: reading, physical activity, mindfulness and culture and creativity. SOLUS will integrate this challenge into the app for 2026, making it even more engaging. Once developed, SOLUS will offer this feature to library services nationally for free.

Vision Redbridge

Grant awarded: £24,500 · Region: London

Vision Redbridge will develop a conversational AI agent that utilises large language models to engage lapsed or non-readers aged 18 and above. Using the behavioural change principles of Nudge, this innovative multilingual AI agent guides users through an intuitive journey, increasing discoverability and interacting with them to ask important questions that encourage those who feel that reading and libraries are not for them to develop new and improved reading habits. Users can choose to interact via text or voice, with voice interaction enhancing accessibility for non-English speakers, individuals who are visually impaired or blind, and those who find textual forms overwhelming.

Westminster Libraries & Archives

Grant awarded: £15,000 · Region: London

This project develops a new online service to make renewing library membership accounts simpler and more convenient. At present, members must visit a library and speak with staff to renew their account. This project will enable eligible members to complete straightforward membership renewals themselves online, directly through the library catalogue, with just a click of a button. The new system will save time for both customers and staff, making it easier for members to stay connected with library services. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to improving digital access and enhancing the overall customer experience.

West Sussex Library Service

Grant awarded: £23,250 · Region: South East

This project will offer virtual tours of 28 libraries. The tours will help build awareness of the layout of the buildings and raise familiarity for people ahead of visiting, particularly among those who might otherwise lack the confidence to do so. The tours will show that libraries are welcoming and accessible by showing where parking spaces are located as well as resources including helpdesks. The project will improve accessibility information on the website, enabling further collaboration with LibraryOn by sharing the content and help support the aim of a stronger national online presence.

Manage your project

Upload monitoring forms and view project details on the application portal

Go to portal

Information for grantees

• Round three application guidance

• Application portal

• Template to be completed by your finance team and submitted with your application

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Logo guidance

• Bank details form

• Monitoring template

Learn from previous grantees

These library authorities were awarded funding in previous LibraryOn grants rounds. They shared their experiences with the LibraryOn community.

Blackpool Library Service’s LMS project

Blackpool’s presentation from the June 2024 LibraryOn drop-in (YouTube link)

Blackpool Library Service’s LMS project

A case study from the LibraryOn grants evaluation (PDF document)

Libraries Unlimited’s Secret Book Quest and virtual tour projects

Libraries Unlimited’s presentation from the October 2023 LibraryOn drop-in (YouTube link)

Hillingdon Library Service’s room booking system project

Hillingdon Library’s presentation from the September 2024 LibraryOn drop-in (YouTube link)

Darlington Library Service’s virtual tours

A case study from the LibraryOn grants evaluation (PDF document)

Top tips for grants projects

Advice based on previous grantees with similar projects

Virtual tours

• Combine virtual tours with a marketing push or room booking system upgrade to maximise their impact

• Anticipate possible disruptions. Build a schedule to work around bad weather and branch opening times

• Scrutinise potential suppliers. There’s lots of potential virtual tour producers. Use this in your favour to negotiate lower quotes, but don’t skimp on quality!

• Build in opportunities for future iteration. It’s good to get contracts from producers which include future maintenance to account for branch refurbishments

• Accessibility should be at the heart of everything. Make sure the tours themselves are accessible, and work with partners from neurodiversity charities and organisations to make sure the tours work for everyone

Booking systems

• Consider complementing an upgrade with producing virtual tours of spaces

• Use a beta testing phase or limited initial release to identify and iron out unforeseen problems

• Articulate benefits of the upgrade to people who work in the library, bearing in mind that some benefits may not be apparent in the short term

• Inputting recurring events may be an intensive activity. Look for an automated option and, if not possible, make sure to spread the workload

Library Management Systems

• Use existing partnerships with providers and within the local authority

• Consider local authority branding requirements and how they might match up with the LMS provider’s platform

• Continue the transformation. Build space for future iteration into the project

Timeline

1. Tuesday 23 September 2025 — Applications open

2. Tuesday 4 November 2025 — Applications close

3. Friday 14 November 2025 — Funding decisions confirmed

4. November 2025 to March 2026 — Project delivery

5. Monday 9 March 2026 — Project delivery period ends

6. Monday 23 March 2026 — Project monitoring information due