Grants
round three
Round three offered a further £400,000 for public libraries in England to improve their online presence and discoverability.
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
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
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include online booking and payments, a unified digital presence for library and cultural services, and retiring outdated websites—enhancing efficiency and user experience.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
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
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
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.
Learn from previous grantees
These library authorities were awarded funding in previous LibraryOn grants rounds. They shared their experiences with the LibraryOn community.
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
- Tuesday 23 September 2025Applications open
- Tuesday 4 November 2025Applications close
- Friday 14 November 2025Funding decisions confirmed
- November 2025 to March 2026 Project delivery
- Monday 9 March 2026Project delivery period ends
- Monday 23 March 2026Project monitoring information due