Essex County Council announced a new £120,000 funding boost for its libraries on February 12, 2026, to improve reading skills for children across the county. While the investment focuses on the council’s network of 74 libraries, it is expected to benefit families in nearby Southend-on-Sea as the two authorities move toward closer collaboration.
The new investment into the ‘Books and Resources Fund’ is part of the budget for the coming year and will pay for a wider range of reading materials and educational tools. It also covers a series of community events focused on reading, specifically designed for children and those who have additional learning needs.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, the deputy leader of Essex County Council, confirmed the plan during a full council meeting on Thursday. The funding follows the ‘Everyone’s Library Service’ strategy, which aims to modernize local branches.
While the Southend-on-Sea City Council continues to run its own separate network of six libraries, the authorities are working more closely on public services through the new Greater Essex Combined County Authority. This collaboration comes as the region prepares to elect its first regional mayor on May 7, 2026.
The funding is part of a long-term project to turn libraries into modern hubs for the community. The goal is to ensure that all residents in the region have access to high-quality books and support programmes to help children learn to read well.
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