A government grant of almost £230,000 has been awarded to Artizan Street Library & Community Centre.
The building is located next to Middlesex Street, home to the world-famous Petticoat Lane Market and near the eastern boundary of the City.
The money, which comes from the Department of Digital Media, Culture and Sport and is distributed by Arts Council England, will enable local people to develop their own business ideas, learn new job skills and create networks.
Building improvements will include the creation of a Maker Space, a special hub for digital design, craft and learning. Visitors will be able to print in 3D and, by using other equipment provided including electronic sewing machines and laptops, gain computer programming and textile skills.
Also included in the project is a new children’s library, improved study space and new shelving and furniture throughout. Further improvements will make it easier for people to use their own laptops and other devices in the library.
All the new facilities and programmes have been carefully designed to increase users’ wellbeing and give them better life chances.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded this grant, which will provide local people with crucial work skills, families with a high-quality children’s library alongside attractive and comfortable study space for all.
“Artizan Street Library & Community Centre is a much used and much loved community hub.
“Our libraries are vital for communities and it’s great to see them flourishing as we emerge from the pandemic and people get out and about.”
The City of London Corporation, which owns and manages Barbican Library, Barbican Music Library, Shoe Lane Library, and Artizan Street Library and Community Centre is the fourth largest funder of heritage and cultural activities in the UK and invests over £130m every year.
