Evaluation of the Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone Innovation Fund Executive Summary

This document describes an executive summary of the evaluation of the Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone (LOFE) innovation fund, which was part of the Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016-21 strategy. The fund, managed by the Arts Council, was launched in December 2016 to support projects aimed at benefiting disadvantaged people and places in England, with grants awarded to 30 projects across 46 library services. Traverse conducted the evaluation using a mixed-method approach, assessing the fund's impact on participants and communities, and the extent to which it met its objectives of reducing disadvantage through engaging activities and skill development. The evaluation found improvements in staff morale, service reach, and library environments, as well as positive effects on people's perceptions of libraries. Successful projects addressed aspects of disadvantage and developed innovative practices, with libraries using funding to support disadvantaged communities through technological resources and creating inclusive spaces. Challenges included securing staff support and engaging participants effectively. Recommendations from the evaluation include focusing on specific audiences and outcomes, embedding evaluation into projects, and encouraging partnerships with local organizations to enhance library services and reputation. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Closed organisation: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Generic research method
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: October 2018

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Links to published evaluations (DEBUGGING): No final report link found.
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes