A SECTION of Kingswinford Library will be transformed into a staged performance area after Dudley Council was given a share of a £15,000 pot.

The four Black Country local authorities have been given a proportion of the funds by Arts Council England to spend on showcasing events for their ‘Books into Art’ project.

Dudley will use the grant – which is also being provided to Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell Councils – to provide an area for drama, music and arts events performances.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We were so pleased to be successful in our joint bid for Arts Council funding. The grant will be used to get people to think about our libraries as being more than just about books.

“There will be special events to coincide with the Black Country Festival and the stage at Kingswinford will be offered to local musicians, artists, theatre and community groups to use.”

The library stage is currently being decorated by children and local groups with community artist Matt Lloyd under the theme The Secret Garden.

Dudley’s Books into Art project will be officially launched at Kingswinford Library, in Market Street, on Saturday July 4, between 11am and 5pm, featuring storytelling, music and artist workshops.

Other events include a children’s storytelling session on Wednesday July 8, from 10am until 11am, an artist activity from 11am to 3pm on Saturday July 11, and a storytelling cafe on Tuesday July 14, between 7.30pm and 10.30pm.

The Books into Art events will also mark the start of the annual Summer Reading Challenge for children.

For more information, visit www.dudley.gov.uk/libraries or call 01384 812740.