Four libraries in South Manchester will get a ‘mini makeover’ after £250,000 of funding from the Wolfson Foundation.
The Wolfson Foundation has provided the grant to improve the offer for children at Gorton, Longsight, Withington and Wythenshawe Forum libraries, as well as Newton Heath and North City (Harpurhey).
The funding will also allow a new programme of digital activities for children to be developed within all six libraries.
New furnishings such as sofas, picture book boxes, new shelving, wall motifs and some quirkier and more striking book display units will be installed across the libraries, creating brighter and more welcoming spaces for children and their families to enjoy.
And thanks to the new funding, from September, local school groups will be able to take part in a variety of digital and literacy skills activities within the libraries – including being offered the chance to learn about stop-motion animation, green-screen filming and creating digital books.
Refurbishment work will take place at the six libraries from July 6-15 when all libraries will remain open.
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “Libraries are a place of inspiration for young people and we are delighted to have supported these exciting and dynamic learning spaces for children throughout Manchester.
“The Foundation is particularly interested in how libraries can help childhood literacy, including digital literacy, and we are also funding a research study on this subject.”