Campus West Library re-opens

 

 

Located at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City, the library re- opened its doors on Monday 17th December 2014 following a major programme of improvements designed to utilise unused space in the existing building. As well as improving local library facilities, the project has also provided a new home for the countywide Central Resources Library which relocated from Hatfield to Campus West.

Work started on the refurbishment project in May 2012, with Ashe Construction as the main contractor and international consultancy Mace as the architect.

Features of the new library include modern fully furnished community meeting rooms, a reworked Local Studies zone, a new and improved children’s area and improved computer facilities including Wi-Fi. A new baby change area was installed, along with new toilet facilities, whilst additional features include a stunning helix staircase, eco-friendly lighting and heating systems and an improved public lift.

To improve disabled access to the site, a fully accessible entrance has been included at the front of the building, whilst an automated entrance has also been installed at the rear of the building.

Cabinet Member for Hertfordshire Local and Libraries, Councillor Chris Hayward, said:

“Completing refurbishment of the library at Campus West is great news and represents a significant investment in library services. We hope it will encourage new people to come along and explore what their local library has to offer.”

The library changed its opening hours to 9am – 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm on Saturday and 1pm – 5pm on Sunday. A temporary library facility which was open during the improvement works closed in early December 2012.

A new lift, which involved the re-organisation of an existing lift shaft was introduced, with disabled visitors catered for throughout the building.”

When the library re-opened its doors in December, a festive programme of events was introduced to welcome visitors of all ages back into the library. These events included Storytime Fun for the Under 5’s, Afternoon Tea and Mince Pies, Baby Rhyme Time and a performance of A Christmas Carol by Booster Cushion Theatre.

See Premier Construction News, 2 December 2013 for more information.