Essex County Council announced a new £120,000 Essex Libraries Books and Resources Fund for libraries across the county, including those in Colchester, on February 12, 2026. This money is intended to help children improve their reading skills by providing new books and interactive resources.
The funding from Essex County Council will be used to refresh book stock and expand library resources countywide. Families visiting Colchester Library can expect to see expanded literacy-focused programming, such as creative writing workshops for teenagers and tech-based LEGO in Libraries sessions.
The investment follows a decision by the council to reverse a previous proposal that would have cut £100,000 from the library book budget. Instead of those cuts, the new fund will further strengthen literacy support for children, young people, and those with additional needs in the local community.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, explained that the investment is part of an effort to improve learning opportunities for all residents. Colchester Library, which recently underwent a major refurbishment, will use these resources to build on its new Children’s Imagination and Literacy Centre and continue offering a dedicated space for young people to learn.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
