Questions about the Central Library refurbishment

Proposals for the refurbishment

• What plans does the Council have for the future of the Central Library?
• Why does the library need to be refurbished?
• What improvements will a refurbished current library offer?
• What facilities will the new library have for children?
• What facilities will the new library have for younger people?
• What facilities will the new library have for adults?
• Will the new library have more computers and internet access?
• What will be its opening hours?
• How much stock will the new library hold?
• What is the Council’s Library Transformation Strategy and what does it aim to achieve?
  

What plans does the Council have for the future of the Central Library?

We are planning a major refurbishment of the Royal Borough’s Central Library to improve its services and facilities, enabling it to respond to the changing needs of twenty-first century users.

The refurbishment project is central to phase one of a wider Council initiative to transform and improve the library service throughout the Royal Borough. The key aims of the transformed service are to deliver

• More personalised services
• More choice about ways to access information
• Longer library opening hours
• More skilled staff with more time to spend on customer services
• Wider access to ICT, the internet and online resources
• An overall excellent twenty-first century library service
• Equality of physical access

The strategy contained a specific commitment “to create an outstanding Central Library fit to be a flagship for the Royal Borough over the next 40 years, and forming the hub of a vibrant borough wide service.”

If you would like more information about the our stratey download Library Transformation Strategy [PDF file] (file size 904Kb)

Subject to receiving planning permission, refurbishment works would begin in early summer 2009 and last for approximately 12 months. During this time the library would be temporarily relocated to the Town Hall, Hornton Street. The refurbished library would open in autumn 2010.

Why does the library need to be refurbished?

The Central Library was designed by E Vincent Harris and built in 1960 and is a Grade 2* listed building. The building is a remarkable example of quality design and craftsmanship, but there are fundamental problems with its internal planning and arrangement. Over the last fifty years the nature and means by which library services are provided and delivered has changed, with recent years seeing dramatic advances in information communication. The building’s current layout can no longer respond effectively to the current and future needs of users.

In 1999 a study was undertaken to assess the mechanical and electrical installations. This identified that a significant amount would need to be spent to improve these services and considerable disruption caused by the related works without visible or operational benefit to either users or staff.

In 2005 a feasibility study was commissioned which identified significant difficulties with the Library and made proposals for improvements which would preserve the quality and character of the existing building.

The main drivers for change are:

• An ageing building – In its 40 year life the Central Library has never had a major programme of improvement works. The feasibility study established that the current infrastructure needs to be completely overhauled to enable the main building systems, particularly its heating, lighting and ventilation systems, to be brought up to modern standards. In addition the library does not comply with the Disabilities Discrimination Act with poor access for people with disabilities, no refreshment facilities or public toilets.
• Inefficient layout – the internal layout does not make the best use of the space available, specialised facilities are inefficiently located and access to these facilities is inadequate, particularly for people with disabilities. There are some collections and stock which should be available to the public and are not. Both public and staff accommodation is not meeting the standards expected of a twenty-first century Royal Borough library.
• Changing customer needs – what many customers need and want from the library service is changing, with people demanding quicker and more tailored services that they can also access remotely. We also believe that these new services can be staffed more efficiently.
• Higher demand for internet access – many people are unable to access the internet and electronic sources of information due to lack of personal resources or equipment. There are insufficient PCs and laptop charging points to meet demand. A refurbished central library could widen access.
• Needs of younger users – the way in which young people and children learn and communicate is changing and we have a duty to respond to that by providing a more up to date, suitably stimulating and engaging learning environment.
• Needs of the older population – the increasing number of older people within the Royal Borough means we need to develop new ways to support their needs for continued access to our information.
  

What improvements will a refurbished current library offer?

The improvements to the existing library will bring:

Better user experience.

The new library will aim to provide better services and surroundings, which realise the aspirations of our local communities, enabling them to support their ambitions and develop their skills. We are confident that through these changes our visitors will experience a dramatic improvement in the range of services, accessibility to these services and the extent to which they are supported.

Improved customer service

The project will enable better customer services, with more staff released to provide a personalised service tailored to a greater range of individual needs. This will, for instance, see younger users and children catered for in a dedicated, stimulating environment which is fun, safe and stimulates their imagination, while helping the older population develop new ways to support their needs for continued access to information.

Inspirational environment

Historic elements of the building will not only be preserved but also enhanced and made a definite feature of the new design. The refurbishment will see significant improvements to both the external space and internal environment. The building will become more accessible; user space will double in size and be more flexible in design. Facilities and services will be more inclusive, enabling the display of – and interaction with – more material than ever before. The refurbished environment will be safe and clam with energy efficient mechanical electrical services and better ventilation and lighting.

What facilities will the new library have for children?

We are going to improve the facilities for children significantly, so that there will be enough room for very young children to enjoy story times, all children to enjoy ‘messy’ activities as part of our book promotion programme and for older children to work on homework and to have access to the internet.

What facilities will the new library have for younger people?

We will also be introducing a library specifically for young people from 13-19. We are working with the Connexions Service and with young people themselves to make this an engaging and excellent facility that reflects the needs of young people.

What facilities will the new library have for adults?

The refurbished Central Library will provide an inspiring environment designed to meet the needs of current and future users. Key features will include longer opening hours, more space, more access to collections, increased ICT availability, more choice about how to access information, new automated systems for issues and returns and more skilled staff with time to spend on customer services.

Will the new library have more computers and internet access?

Yes. The current library provides 29 public computers. Compared to this the refurbished library will provide access to 80 computers. In addition there will be new electronic services including access to e-books.

What will be its opening hours?

Currently the central library is open from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm on 3 days per week and from 9.30 am until 8 pm on three days. The refurbished library will continue to operate within these same hours, potentially increasing opening hours on certain days and we also expect to be open on Sundays. In addition remote services will be accessible 24 hours a day, in particular book reservations, book renewals, catalogue enquiries, access to specialist databases from home and 24 hour access to a staffed enquiry service.

How much stock will the new library hold?

Although the refurbishment will mean a change to the environment and range of services, we are conscious that book-lending remains at the centre of our library service. To this end the refurbishment will see an overall increase in the quality of stock.

The adult book lending and music libraries will have the same amount of stock as there is now, as will the children’s library. In the local studies library we aim to have more material available on view to the public. We also expect to have some Biography collections that were previously inaccessible and housed in the basement be opened up to the public. In addition, we plan to have a youth library with a range of material available for young people.

In parallel to the building works we will be undertaking a review of stock, removing and replacing where appropriate old, damaged and out-dated books. We are also adding new material to ensure that the refurbished library will be stocked with an excellent range of high quality materials.

What is the Council’s Library Transformation Strategy and what does it aim to achieve?

The Council’s Library Strategy was approved in October 2005 by Cabinet. Central to the strategy are the aims to ensure that the services available to all residents are made more accessible, more inclusive and more flexible.

In practical terms this means:

• Delivering services that respond to the needs of the twenty-first century
• Providing inspiring, accessible places in which to learn, explore and relax
• Realising the Royal Borough’s aspirations, supporting its ambitions and developing its skills
• Ensuring services are more inclusive and more accessible

The flagship Central Library project will be at the heart of this change, providing outstanding facilities and services which realise the aspirations of the local community and help develop their skills.

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