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Essex's busiest library reopens after revamp

News imageEssex County Council A children's area with multi-coloured stools and trees painted on the walls. There is a small staircase and stools that look like toadstools for the children to sit on. There are small shelves for books in the middle of the rooms. The carpet is mostly green.Essex County Council
The council said it hoped the new library would inspire young children into reading

A library is due to reopen later after a major revamp that aims to spark creativity and a love for reading among children.

Essex County Council said Colchester Library was its busiest reading hub, with 26,000 visitors a month.

It was closed in September 2024, but will boast a fresh restock of books and a new children's imagination and literacy centre when it reopens its doors.

Conservative councillor Mark Durham, cabinet member for the arts, heritage and culture, said the transformation "has created a spectacular new facility that residents can be proud of".

News imageEssex County Council Rows of books on shelves. The shelves are red and the carpet is grey. Essex County Council
Thousands more books have joined the library's existing collection ahead of the opening later on Monday

Renovations were made possible thanks to a £337,500 grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the council said it invested £112,500.

There will be 3,000 new books joining the library's collection.

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