Posted on Monday 14th October 2024
Burton Library entrance
A £1.3million refurbishment of Burton Library is nearing completion with the main part of the building newly fitted out and ready to reopen next month.
The project has seen the transformation of the library space for people of all ages and various community groups.
An allocation of £265,000 was secured from the central government Libraries Improvement Fund with Staffordshire County Council investing the remainder.
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.
Work has been taking place to renovate and refurbish the main part of the library over the summer. To complete this phase, a one-week closure will be needed from Monday November 4 until Sunday November 10, with the library reopening on Monday November 11. After this, work will begin on the new children’s library in the former café area. This phase is due to be completed in mid-December.
People can view a generated walk through of the ground floor library area on a video link.
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 has involved repurposing 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 supports community wellbeing, offering quiet space for those needing to escape from noise and sensory overload. The children’s space will offer interactive elements and sensory equipment.
The 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 will potentially able to seat 30 people in a theatre style.
Wherever possible sustainable materials have been used, together with reused or recycled furniture. The improvements also include refurbished toilets and a new ceiling.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities and culture Victoria Wilson said:
These exciting improvements to the library are now nearing completion and we’re really looking forward to unveiling them to visitors – both existing customers and new ones. The newly created space reflects the wishes of the community and we have made every effort to work these into the overall plans.
It’s important that it will be a welcoming environment for all ages and for people with a wide range of learning and social requirements. It’s flexible and multi-use design means we can reach the most people and get the very best out of the space for years to come. We do need to close the library briefly while the main fit-out is completed so would like to thank people for their understanding during this time.
This is a significant investment, bringing long-term improvements to the library and benefiting the wider community for years to come.”
A design company, Fg Library & Learning, has undertaken the refurbishment. It has worked on numerous library refurbishment projects nationally, including Codsall Library in Staffordshire.