Posted on Friday 21st June 2024
The sensory room at Burton library
A major refurbishment of Burton Library begins on July 1 – and images just released show how the improvements could look.
The project will see the transformation of the library space for people of all ages and various community groups.
A total of £1.3 million is being invested in the refurbishment project.
To enable the project to begin, the library will need to temporarily close from Monday July 1 to Saturday July 6 so that a temporary library can be set up in the former café space. This temporary library will open on Monday July 8.
A design company, Fg Library & Learning, has been appointed to undertake the refurbishment. It has worked on numerous library refurbishment projects nationally, including Codsall Library in Staffordshire.
Improvements to the library building in Burton will provide better space for enjoying books and many other social and learning activities. It follows investment at libraries in Codsall, Lichfield, Tamworth, Stafford and Newcastle.
Further information about the project, including frequently asked questions can be found on the Burton Library webpage.
After engaging with library users, the Burton Library team found that people would like to see space for cultural enrichment, a place where there are opportunities for creativity, learning and socialising and improved digital access.
The refurbishment will involve repurposing the ground floor of the library into a vibrant, multi-purpose, accessible and inclusive space.
The updated library will include a flexible creative area for social activity and community learning which could be used by a range of groups and learning providers.
Another area will support community wellbeing, offering quiet space for those needing to escape from noise and sensory overload. Two sensory nooks will be created – one for teens and adults to relax, read or listen to audio where there will be low lighting and fibre optic light panels and a children’s space with interactive elements and sensory equipment.
A new children’s area will reflect the surroundings of the Washlands on the library doorstep to provide a connection with the local area. It is planned to create a bespoke children’s library feature depicting nature, with enclosed reading areas and integrated book displays.
And a flexible space for events and activities is planned, potentially able to seat 30 people in a theatre style, with an interactive digital display screen so that films, archive and heritage footage and live-streamed programmes could be shown.
Wherever possible sustainable materials will be used, together with reused or recycled furniture. The improvements will also include refurbished toilets and a new ceiling.
Staffordshire County Council’s Assistant Director for Culture, Rural and Safer Communities Catherine Mann said:
This is an exciting project for Burton Library and is much anticipated by everyone who uses it and our team there.
These images show how we envisage the library space to look following the refurbishment. We’re confident they reflect people’s feedback that has helped us to shape the library vision.
Whilst unfortunately the library will be closed for the first week of July to set up the temporary library space, it means we can get the ball rolling with the scheme.”
Most funding for the scheme has come from the county council, with an allocation from national funding as well.