Library to close for final stage of refurbishment

Jonny ManningNorth East and Cumbria
News imageCumberland Council Artist's impression of the library's new children's zone. A woman with blonde hair is reading to four youngsters in the centre of the room. Behind them, a girl is sitting on her mother's lap as they read a book. The room has red walls and shelves, a green carpet and splashes of other colours.Cumberland Council
A colourful new children's zone is planned at Carlisle Library

A library is set to close for two months during the final stage of its multi-million pound refurbishment.

Carlisle Library is part-way through a £3.3m project to transform the building into a "modern space" with a children's zone, study space and adult learning classrooms.

The building is set to close on 23 March for about three months while construction work is carried out on its second floor.

Cumberland Council's executive member for vibrant and healthy places Anne Quilter said the work would make the library "brighter, more welcoming and more accessible" for local people.

The library will be fully closed until 30 March, when its third floor will reopen to provide residents with hearing aid batteries, parking discs, blue badge forms, bus pass services and book requests and returns.

A phased reopening of the library will take place from mid-June.

News imageGoogle A general view of the entrance to Carlisle Library inside The Lanes shopping centre.Google
Carlisle Library is undergoing a £3.3m renovation

The work is being funded as part of the government's £19.7m Carlisle Town Deal programme.

Chair of the Carlisle Town Deal board, David Wright, said work on Carlisle Library was a key part of the organisation's vision for the city centre.

"This project will provide high-quality facilities that benefit residents, visitors and local businesses," he said.

"We're delighted to see the refurbishment moving into its final stages and look forward to celebrating its reopening this summer."

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