Two Greater Manchester Library projects have been selected as part of the nationwide Arts Council England and Department of Culture and Media project LibrariesOpportunities for Everyone Innovation fund.
Big Ideas Generators will support innovation and enterprise across the ten Greater Manchester library authorities.
A unique customer service will be delivered by one team working across the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a first for the city region which will deliver personalised one-to-one business information surgeries, ‘How to’ sessions, workshops and informal networking opportunities, as well as specialist training in skills such as 3D printing.
It will focus on reaching women and BAME audiences, participants will gain vital information and digital support to navigate their entrepreneurial journey and develop new skills.
A second scheme based in Tameside in partnership with Stone Soup, a local leading creative industries organisation, will deliver a creative and innovative literacy project across four of Tameside’s public libraries in collaboration with The Lowry, Salford and the Hallé Orchestra.
The project will through creative workshops and experiences, families from disadvantaged areas will be supported to embrace reading, develop literacy skills and create a series of published books for family audiences.
The two projects are part of thirty nationwide schemes announced yesterday.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England said:
Libraries are brilliant for books and reading, and they are inclusive spaces where we can learn, create, and participate. This programme has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to fund new activities in libraries and reach people all over the country who might not usually use their local library service. We had a phenomenal response to the fund when it opened, there is a huge appetite for funding like this, and I’m looking forward to seeing these innovative projects come to life and make a real difference to everyone involved.
