Walsall’s library network is set to benefit from a £170,000 investment after securing support through the Libraries Improvement Fund. The funding will help deliver refurbishment works, facility upgrades, and new technology across libraries in the borough.
The investment is designed to modernise library spaces and ensure services continue to meet the evolving needs of local residents. Planned improvements include enhancements to existing buildings and the introduction of technology aimed at making services more accessible and user-friendly.
Walsall was one of four library services in the West Midlands to receive funding through the Government’s £19.7 million Arts Everywhere Fund, which supports greater access to arts and culture in communities across the UK.
Delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the programme includes the Libraries Improvement Fund, helping services modernise facilities and respond to changing community needs.
“Libraries are more than buildings with books in, libraries are about people, ideas and opportunity. The Libraries Improvement Fund helps libraries to flourish as safe, trusted spaces for their communities.
We’re pleased to be supporting Walsall Council with £170,000 to improve the flexibility of their existing space and introduce new technology to engage with community feedback, strengthening their offer for many years to come.”
— Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England
The funding will be shared across Walsall’s seven community libraries: Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston, Lichfield Street Hub (Central Library & Archives), Streetly, and Willenhall.
A key part of the programme will focus on Darlaston Library, where the first floor will be redeveloped into a more flexible space capable of hosting a wider range of community-led activities.
Across all seven sites, multilingual customer satisfaction kiosks and portable feedback devices will also be introduced to help gather resident feedback and shape future service improvements.
The upgrades are expected to strengthen Walsall’s library offering, ensuring welcoming, accessible spaces that remain fit for purpose in the years ahead.