The announcement by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy of £27.5m for the next round of the Libraries Improvement Fund is a positive and timely recognition of the essential role libraries play in communities across the UK.
This investment will enable library services to refresh and reimagine their spaces to better support how people use libraries today, as hubs for learning, digital access, creativity and connection. Thoughtfully designed interiors and flexible layouts are central to this, helping libraries remain welcoming, inclusive and adaptable as community needs continue to evolve.
At FG Library Products Ltd, we have spent over 25 years working alongside library services, architects and local authorities to deliver library environments that support these ambitions. Our teams understand the practical realities libraries face, from ageing estates and funding pressures to the need for spaces that can flex over time, and we are ready to support services through this latest round of Libraries Improvement Fund projects.
It is particularly encouraging to see libraries recognised for their role in strengthening local identity, reinvigorating neighbourhoods and bringing people together. From major refurbishments and full library regenerations to more incremental improvements, Libraries Improvement Fund projects consistently demonstrate how investment in library spaces can unlock wider social, educational and cultural value.
Importantly, regeneration doesn’t always have to mean starting from scratch. There is a growing recognition of the opportunity to reuse, refurbish and adapt existing furniture and fixtures, extending their lifespan, reducing environmental impact and making the most of available budgets. With in‑house manufacturing capabilities, our teams can regenerate and refresh existing library furniture where appropriate, delivering cost savings while supporting more sustainable, environmentally responsible projects.
It is also fitting that this funding sits within a wider £1.5bn programme of cultural investment. Even in areas with lower levels of cultural provision, libraries continue to deliver high‑quality creative opportunities and provide trusted, inclusive platforms for other cultural organisations to connect with local people.
To build on this momentum, stable and predictable funding for local government will be essential. With long‑term certainty, library services can plan confidently and continue creating future‑proofed, community‑centred spaces that reflect the evolving needs of their users.
For library services preparing funding applications or bids, our team is always happy to offer early‑stage support, including design development, feasibility input and indicative costing exercises, to help projects take shape and ensure submissions reflect realistic, deliverable outcomes.
Josh Hughes
Managing Director
FG Library Products Ltd
