Enhanced Library Offers Grant Fund

Guidance for applicants

The Enhanced Library Offers Fund is part of Devon County Council’s Libraries Investment Programme, supporting smaller – scale activities, events and local enhancements within public library buildings.

The fund is intended to help communities and partners develop activities that bring more people into libraries, improve access and inclusion, and add value to the existing library offer.

We are particularly interested in projects that respond to local need, encourage people who may not currently use libraries to take part, and support libraries to be welcoming, flexible and useful community spaces.

Applicants must show a clear link between the funding requested, the activity or event proposed, and the benefit to the community using the library building.

Grant awards will typically be up to £1,000. Payable in advance.

We cannot pay for any activity expenditure incurred after 30 March 2028. Match funding is not essential, but applications that include cash, in-kind support or local fundraising may be prioritised.

We may close the fund periodically to review the direction of spend and ensure funding continues to support the aims of the programme.

If you would like to discuss your project idea before applying, please contact the Team on library.librariesgrants-mailbox@devon.gov.uk or telephone Kathryn H Blake 01392 380261 or Vanessa Davies on 01392 383379.

Fund Objectives

The fund aims to support project that:

bring more people into library buildings through community activities and events;
create welcoming and inclusive experiences for local communities;
encourage people who may not currently use libraries to visit and take part;
increase opportunities for learning, wellbeing and community connection;
add value to existing library spaces by responding to local need

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from:

Friends of Library Groups
Community and voluntary organisations
Charities
Community Interest Companies (CICs)
Parish and Town Councils
Social Enterprises
For-profit organisations, where the grant is used exclusively for the agreed community offer and does not generate profit from council funding.
Community partnerships working with libraries

At least 75% of the people who benefit from the project must be in the Devon County Council administrative area.

Projects must:

Be delivered within Devon (Plymouth and Torbay are outside of the jurisdiction).
Take place in a public library building and benefit the wider community.
Demonstrate community need and demand.
Be available to the wider community, not just to a closed membership group.
All funded expenditure must be incurred by 30 March 2028.
Be additional to statutory provision and not replace responsibilities that should be met by another public body

Before applying, your organisation must:

have an appropriate governing or legal document;
have at least three unconnected committee members, trustees or directors;
keep annual accounts or suitable financial records;
have a bank account in the organisation’s name with at least two unconnected signatories, or equivalent financial controls;
have appropriate safeguarding and equality policies where relevant;

For-profit organisations must show that the grant will be spent only on the agreed community activity or event, and that no profit will be made from the council grant.

At this stage, individual organisations may only submit one application. This approach will be reviewed as the programme develops.

Match Funding

Match funding is not mandatory, but encouraged. This could take the form of:

Cash contributions
Grants from other organisations
Support from Parish or Town Councils
Community fundraising
Business sponsorship

What We Will Fund

The fund may support activity costs and small items that help deliver community activities or events in library buildings. Examples include:

Workshops, talks, performances or community events.
Creative, cultural, wellbeing or learning activities.
Activities that encourage people who may not usually visit the library to come in and take part.
Children’s and family areas
Sensory resources
Flexible community-use equipment

Inclusion and Accessibility

Inclusive signage
Sensory resources
Hearing loop systems
Accessibility equipment
Translation and interpretation resources
Improvements that reduce barriers to participation

Digital and Learning Enhancements

Tablets and digital devices
Digital access equipment
Learning resources
Creative technology equipment
Resources that support digital inclusion

Small Resources to Support Activities

Materials, equipment or resources needed to deliver the activity.
Publicity linked directly to the funded activity or event.
Sessional facilitator, artist, tutor or speaker costs.Intergenerational projects
Reading and learning programmes
Volunteer-led initiatives

Partnership Projects

Shared community services
Outreach projects
Community engagement initiatives
Programmes delivered with local partners

What We Cannot Fund

We are unlikely to fund:

Activities or offers that duplicate existing provision in the same library or nearby area, unless there is clear evidence of additional need or added value.
Activities that have already taken place before a grant is awarded.
Applications from individuals.
Projects that do not provide a clear community benefit.
Political campaigning or political activities.
Activities that are unlawful or discriminatory.
Activities that are for primarily private profit.
Activities where the grant would be passed on to another organisation as a grant.
Activities that are solely for the promotion of a particular faith, religion or belief, unless there is a clear wider community benefit that is open and accessible to all.
Activities that are the legal responsibility of another organisation or public body.
Ongoing core organisational costs, unrestricted running costs, or long-term staffing commitments.
Requests to cover existing deficits, debts or loss of income.
Projects that cannot be completed within the timescales of the fund.
Activities where the main beneficiaries are outside Devon County Council’s administrative area.

Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

Community Need and Benefit

How the project responds to identified local need and community benefit or opportunity.

Inclusion

How the project will encourage people to take part, particularly those who may not currently visit or use the library. This includes people with diverse needs and abilities.

Deliverability

How the organisation will successfully deliver the project.

Sustainability

How benefits could continue after the grant has been spent.

Value for Money How the project will maximise the impact of public investment.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will be asked to complete a short end of project monitoring report.

End of project monitoring report

Including:

a short summary of what was delivered;
how the project met the aims of the fund;
how many people benefited, where this is known;
who the project reached, including whether it supported new audiences or priority communities;
community feedback;
photographs, where appropriate and with permission;
a final expenditure statement;
any learning that could help shape future library investment.

Successful projects may also be asked to contribute to case studies or promotional activity

Before Applying

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their idea with the relevant library before applying.

This helps to:

ensure the proposal is suitable for the library setting;
avoid duplication with existing activities;
identify any operational considerations;
explore opportunities to work with existing community groups and partners.

Projects may require confirmation from the library that the activity can be accommodated before funding is awarded

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the:

Enhanced Library Offers Fund Application form.

If your application passes the initial assessment, we may ask for evidence that your organisation and project meet the eligibility requirements. This may include your governing document, accounts or financial records, bank account evidence, details of those responsible for the organisation, relevant policies, quotations and any permissions required.

We may also look at publicly available information, such as Companies House, the Charity Commission, websites and social media, to help us understand your organisation and assess governance and financial diligence.

Decision Making

Applications will be assessed by officers before being presented to a decision-making group.

The panel will consider:

How your offer will fit with the aims of the grant
Community impact
Value for money
Deliverability
Geographical distribution across priority communities
Available grant budget
Inclusion and accessibility

Successful Applications

Successful applicants will receive a grant offer setting out the approved purpose, value of the grant, payment arrangements, monitoring requirements and any specific conditions. Funding must only be used for the agreed project and any significant change must be agreed with us in advance.

We reserve the right to reduce, withhold or request the return of all or part of the grant if the project does not proceed as agreed, is underspent, or does not meet the aims of the fund.

Terms and Conditions

Applicants will need to read and accept the fund terms and conditions before any funding is released. These will include requirements on use of funding, record keeping, publicity, monitoring, data protection and returning funds where conditions are not met.

Further Information

For questions about the fund or application process, please contact the grants team: LibrariesGrants-Mailbox@devon.gov.uk or telephone Kathryn H Blake 01392 380261 or Vanessa Davies on 01392 383379.