Burnley Library is among 10 libraries and museums in the North West to benefit from government funding to support upgrades and improve visitor experiences.
Lancashire County Council’s Burnley Library Music Collection & Flexible Space is set to receive £165,000 of funding from the Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) as part of a £33m boost to almost 70 museums and libraries nationally.
Burnley Library holds an impressive collection of sheet music, known as the Stocks Massey Music Collection, funded by charitable arts trust the Edward Stocks-Massey Bequest Fund, which was established in the 20th century by local businessman and philanthropist Edward Stocks-Massey.
Following consultation, the revamp will breathe life into a disused former children’s library at the location, by creating an accessible space which will play host to the extensive sheet music collection as well as concerts and other cultural activities.
The former children’s library will be transformed into a much-needed facility to celebrate the historically significant sheet music collection and support young people and emerging artists from Burnley.
The county council’s head of cultural services, Steve Lloyd, said: “We welcome this investment in one of our region’s most significant cultural collections, as this will ensure the illustrious nature of the sheet music collection in Burnley will be celebrated and made accessible to all.
“This development will benefit the whole of the town, not just the library, providing excellent activities and cultural support for young people in the town centre now and in the future, while also preserving and celebrating a vital and historic part of Burnley’s cultural and musical heritage.”
Other projects to benefit include Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre receiving more than £500,000 for their roof project, Gallery Oldham getting almost £290,000 for their ‘resilience refresh’ and Oldham Council Libraries receiving £277,000 for their adaptable library project.
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson said: “The brilliant organisations benefiting from these awards demonstrate the breadth of culture on offer across the North West – from illuminating insights into our Tudor heritage to interactive exhibits to inspire the next generation of scientists.
“This additional funding underlines the government’s commitment to supporting culture and heritage in every part of the country, and I look forward to seeing how it helps to improve the infrastructure of libraries, museums, and galleries across the North West.”
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