BIG Libraries East

Five of region's Local Authorities have been successful in winning funding from BIG Lottery funding.

Wisbech Community Library and Learning Centre            (Cambridgeshire)

The project aims to extend the current library building in Wisbech to provide improved learning opportunities, a community meeting venue and a range of spaces for people and organisations to make their own. The main need is for more community space to meet the needs and aspirations of the local community. There is also a need to integrate different communities together. A new, flexible community library will facilitate activities to support these needs to be addressed. The new library will offer an improved programme of learning activities, including Skills for Life, accredited qualifications, citizenship, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Learn Direct courses, ICT courses, parenting skills and children's activities.   

The Gainsborough Library Project                  (Suffolk) 

The project aims to replace the existing library in Gainsborough area of Ipswich with a vibrant new building, which will provide enhanced services and activities to attract both users and non-users to the library service.  The new facility will house a social enterprise café, meeting rooms and flexible spaces, which can adapt to the diverse needs of the community. There is a need to improve educational attainment amongst young people and improve skills for all, so the improved learning programme and learning facilities will help to tackle these problems. The new learning programme will be tailored to the needs of the community and will include a music studio for young people to make music and learn performance skills, adult classes, Skills for Life courses, accredited courses, homework classes and childcare classes.   

Luton Central Library and Learning Centre                  (Luton) 

This project aims to revitalise Luton Central Library, creating a modern, attractive library and learning centre, where all the community feel welcome and where a wide variety of learning opportunities are available. The project will create three clearly identified learning zones to facilitate learning. The learning experience will be added to though the creation of a dedicated area for babies and toddlers, creation of separate, clearly defined areas for older or visually impaired customers and improvements to the appearance of the building.  

South Oxhey Community Library Project        (Hertfordshire) 

This project aims to develop the library as a centre for community learning, information and development for members of the community. The project will remodel and expand the existing building in order to extend the public area of the building to include a flexible community space that is accessible both within and outside library hours.  It will also modernise the layout and facilities of the library to improve access and anticipate future technological developments, create an architectural design that will provide a focal point for the community, and create a building, which is "greener" and more energy efficient. The new Oxhey Library will provide an upgraded venue for a range of wider community activities, including an extended homework club to provide study opportunities for older children, family learning opportunities, computer classes, the development of a community Connexions and the Council for Voluntary Service, a display space for local artists andorganisations and a meeting venue for local clubs and societies. It is a key principle of the project that these extended activities should be facilitated by the library, but managed and delivered by a range of identified community partners. This approach will ensure that services remain relevant to the changing needs of the community, and are sustainable beyond the lifetime of the project.   

Great Yarmouth Community Library              (Norfolk) 

This project aims to extend and refurbish the Great Yarmouth Community Library.  The current library space is on the ground floor of a two-storey building; there are offices, a gallery and lecture space on the first floor. The project will increase the current space with the addition of a glass- enclosed extension, this will house a café and community meeting foyer overlooking a new reading garden.  New multifunctional community, gallery and learning spaces will be created throughout the building. Facilities such as a lift, toilets and baby changing facilities will be improved. In addition internal and external signage will be improved and IT facilities will be enhanced.