New Reading library plans given go ahead

Plans to move the main library in Reading to a new town centre site have been given the go-ahead.

Reading Central Library has been located in King's Road for nearly 40 years since it was opened back in 1985.

The library's collection and its facilities will be moved to the council offices in Bridge Street as part of a £8.6m project.

Reading Borough Council granted planning permission, calling it a "hugely exciting opportunity".

The Central Library is being relocated from its current premises to the council offices, which will have a three-storey front extension added.

The council also clarified that the library will feature more than 1,300 metres of bookshelves, along with a large children's library, a teen section with seating areas, desks and quiet study areas.

Planning committee member Jan Gavin said the design was "very modern and inviting".

"The use of space which is largely redundant at the moment to house a library which will bring the library into a more central location, with very good public transport access is a really exciting opportunity which we are lucky to be able to do," she added,

It is hoped work can begin in March for an opening in spring 2025.

The library project has been enabled by £8.6m in government levelling up funding, which the council received last year.

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