Community Library Grant Scheme

The Community Library Grant Scheme aims to support groups to establish a library offer within their community.  

This will be done by offering up to a maximum of £5,000 for one-off grant funding to community organisations or community interest companies who are working within St Helens Borough. 

If you wish to apply for the fund you can do so by completing our online application form, or you can download a Word version of the application form at the bottom of the page and email it to libraries@sthelens.gov.uk.

Deadline for applications - Friday 23 May 2025

Community Library Grant Application Form

What is a Community Library?

A Community Library is a community run site which is independent of the Council, ranging from: 

• A full library offer in a bespoke building or space dedicated solely for use as a library and which is open and staffed regularly throughout the week to offer book loans and publicly accessible computers

• A more limited offer within an existing building such as book exchange/lending library/public access IT.  

The key principle is that the offer must be publicly accessible throughout the week and the expectation is that this is deliberately managed by a community organisation and its volunteers or if applicable community employed paid staff.   

Who can apply?

• Community organisations based in St Helens Borough, particularly small community based local groups, that encourage community spirit, engage volunteers

• Organisations with a constitution and who have a community bank account with 2 signatories (not at the same address). The account must be in the name of the community group

• Organisations that are not for profit. (All income is used to achieve the organisation's charitable aims and cannot be paid out to members, shareholders, or owners).  

How much can groups apply for?

Groups can apply for funds up to a maximum of £5,000.  This is a one-off grant funding offer, and the application should itemise the costs associated with the proposal and attach quotes. 

What can this fund be used for?

The aim of this fund is to support groups to set up and manage their own library space for the community it is based in. Examples of eligible spending are:

• Volunteer Recruitment, training and expenses

• Shelving and other furniture 

• Books/Magazines/Newspapers 

• Tablets/laptops/PC for public use 

• Broadband/WIFI 

• Marketing/Promotion 

What can it not be used for?

This fund cannot be used to fund the following:

• Trips and excursions  

• Uniforms 

• Employment contracts (pay) 

• Applications where planning permission hasn't already been agreed (where applicable) 

• Projects that have already been funded or already being delivered. 

• Project planning and consultant fees 

• Running costs including utility bills. 

Groups can apply for up to a maximum of £5,000. This will be a one-off grant funding offer, and applications are expected to itemise the costs associated with the proposal and attack quotes. Evaluation criteria is as follows: 

• Proposals that evidence outcomes to education or training linked to the use of the community library offer will score highly

• Proposals that target older people to access the community library offer to address social isolation will score highly

• Proposals that target young people to access a library offer to improve literacy will score highly

• Joint applications from 2 or more groups coming together will score highly

• Proposals delivering a library offer in areas that do not have a Council run library will score highly

• Applications with match funding will score highly

• Applications from groups based in the top 5% Lower Super Output Areas will score highly 

Once applications have been received they will be administered by St Helens Library Service. A Grant Panel will meet to assess applications, made up from Library Management and Finance staff. If successful, applicants will receive a grant offer letter and conditions to be signed and returned. Once awarded the grant will be paid in full and applicants will be required to provide evidence of expenditure and outcomes within 12 months of the award.

If you require any support to develop ideas the Library Outreach Team will be available by contacting libraries@sthelens.gov.uk. You can get further guidance and support from the Community Managed Libraries Network.

• Community Library Grant Application Form (Word doc, 38 KB)(opens new window)
• Community Library Grant Scheme Terms and Conditions (PDF, 115 KB)(opens new window)
• Library Strategy 2023-2028