Stone Library is set to benefit from a share of a £5 million investment in Staffordshire’s libraries, with funding allocated to modernise and improve public areas.
Staffordshire County Council has announced that £4 million will be spent refurbishing 10 town centre libraries managed directly by the council, including Stone, while a further £1 million will be available for the county’s 27 Community Managed Libraries (CMLs).
Victoria Wilson, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said:
“Our 43 libraries are cornerstones of their communities, which is why we have always maintained, invested in and renewed them.
“Not only are they a place of learning, enjoyment and study, but they also provide a welcoming space for people to meet or access a range of services.
“We know how much they are valued, so I am delighted that we are able to invest in all the county council-managed libraries that have not been refurbished in recent years.”
The investment means that Stone Library, along with libraries in Leek, Biddulph, Cannock, Kidsgrove, Burntwood, Rugeley, Perton, Uttoxeter and Wombourne, will see improvements to facilities.
As part of the upgrade, library users in Stone will be asked for their views on how they use the space and what improvements they would like to see.
Libraries across Staffordshire provide access to books, free Wi-Fi, dedicated children’s areas and internet services, while also supporting people who need workspace, business advice or community services.
In addition to the town centre investment, funding has been set aside for Community Managed Libraries to apply for support. Staffordshire’s community library model has been widely regarded as one of the most successful in the country, with volunteers playing a key role in providing local services.
Over the last decade, these libraries have secured grants, distributed thousands of testing kits during the pandemic and expanded to support volunteer-led community projects.
The announcement comes as library visitor numbers continue to rise. In the 12 months to January 2025, the number of books borrowed across Staffordshire increased by 15 per cent, reaching almost two million, while volunteers contributed nearly 82,000 hours of their time.
This latest investment in Stone Library is expected to help modernise the space and enhance services for the town’s residents.
