Government cash announced for Sheffield Libraries, while £30m still needed to fix central library
The Government has announced cash for Sheffield’s libraries, in an announcement of arts and culture money across the country.
Ministers have announced that Sheffield Libraries will get £87,000, as one of 16 organisations to receive a funding boost that will improve access to arts and culture across Yorkshire and the Humber, in a list which also includes Rotherham Theatres, which are to receive £200,000.
Details of how the money would be spent was not included in the Government announcement made today, but ministers say the money is to help upgrade buildings and technology to better meet the needs of the community.
It has previously been reported that Sheffield Central Library, is also home to the Graves Gallery and city archives, needs up to £30m of work. It has been surrounded by hoardings since January 2023 due to the risk of falling masonry.
In total 16 cultural venues, local museums and libraries are set to receive a share of just over £11 million in Yorkshire and the Humber, from the Arts Everywhere Fund, which supports cultural infrastructure projects.
Barnsley Civic Enterprise Ltd have been awarded £805,165 while Rotherham Theatres have landed £200,000.
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “I want everyone, everywhere to feel a sense of pride about where they come from. Cultural organisations across Yorkshire and the Humber are important custodians of local identity and play a key role in the story we tell ourselves as a nation.
Rebecca Ball, Area Director, North, Arts Council England said: “Our museums, libraries and arts organisations have the power to change lives, they give us access to new worlds, teach us about our heritage and give us new perspectives on life.
“I’m so pleased that we’ll be supporting so many of our cultural organisations in the North with this capital investment, which will ensure that they can continue to deliver incredible arts and culture to their communities.”
The next rounds of these funds will open for applications in the coming months.
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Last month Sheffield Council announced It wanted to provide digital access to some parts of its collection stored in its basement, which include items ranging from rare books and journals, specialist collections of cultural and historical significance, and outdated reference items..
The council said it was going to prioritise digitisation to help people explore collections online, and where appropriate find new homes for material no longer needed within the Sheffield collection.
Creative Foundations Fund full list of recipients:
> Hull Truck Theatre - £318,911
> Barnsley Civic Enterprise Ltd Civic - £805,165
> Kirklees Theatre Trust - £630,000
> Yorkshire Dance Centre Trust - £750,000
> Mind the Gap Studio - £100,000
> Northern Ballet Limited - £522,500
> Rotherham Theatres - £200,000
> Scarborough Theatre Trust Ltd - £2,700,000
Museum Estate and Development Fund full list of recipients:
> Burton Constable Hall - £242,000
> Oakwell Hall, Kirklees - £1,638,724
> Yorkshire Museum - £2,000,000
> Ryedale Folk Museum - £350,676
Libraries Improvement Fund full list of recipients:
> Sheffield Libraries - £87,000
> North Lincolnshire Council - £265,560
> Hull Culture and Leisure Library - £203,175
> East Riding Libraries - £300,000