Re-opening of Llanelli Library
Monday 5th March 2012
Be the first to see your newly refurbished Library!
There will be a chance to meet Catrin Collier, author of Hearts of Gold & Bobby’s Girl, who also writes as Katherine John & Caro French. She will be talking about her books and answering your questions from 2pm in our newly refurbished Athenaeum Hall.
Naughty Norman Price from Fireman Sam will be appearing in the Library throughout the day and our very own superhero Superbook will be in the Library all week and there will be a visit from our local heroes the Scarlets!
We’ll have talks from distinguished local historians and staff from the County’s Archives and Museums including talks on our extensive collection of maps and plans.
To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight tea and coffee will be provided throughout the week and there will be a chance to win a Sony e-reader in our quiz.
Be the first to see your newly refurbished Library!
Contact Llanelli Library for details.
T. 01554 773538
E-mail: libraries@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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The refurbishment of Llanelli library is approaching completion and is entering its final phase with reopening planned for early March 2012.
As part of the final phase of the work the lending library will close from 14th November (Saturday 12th being the final day) to allow staff to relocate books and shelving to allow work on the " 70's" part of the building which is due to take place from the 2nd of December. The handover is expected to take place during the week commencing 16th January. The Reference and Music sections, currently housed at Brookfield House, will remain open until such a time as the library at Llanelli re-opens. There will be very limited Adult and Children's lending collections available in Brookfield House during this period.
During February there may be a period of closure for all services in Llanelli whilst stock is moved back and tagging carried out in preparation for reopening.
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LLANELLI Library’s £3.5million refurbishment is proceeding at pace.
The work includes protecting and preserving the older part of the building – the Grade 2 listed Athenaeum, one of the oldest buildings in the town centre. A reference library, children’s library, an arts/crafts exhibition area, video conferencing/training room, and a substantial atrium area will be housed in the building.
Pictured below Ron Cant being shown the works by Marshall Morris of KIERS construction.
Above: This area was formerly the children's library, now to revert back to its former use as a public hall, which will be multipurpose in as much as it will house exhibition space, along with use as training area, possible function space, and concert venue.
The work is phase three of the refurbishment, and follows extensive repairs in the newer part of the building which has provided a new adult lending library, a CD/DVD lending area and state-of-the-art IT suite with facilities for 27 public access computers. A ‘Return to Learn Centre’, providing a basic skills service, was also incorporated into the adult lending library in 2006.
Above: Restoration works underway within the main hallway.
The Athenaeum, together with the nearby Llanelly House and Parish Church, are the oldest buildings in town. It currently houses the Reference Library and Children’s Library on the first floor, and the Nevill Gallery (which hosts arts and crafts exhibitions) and a training/video conferencing room on the ground floor, together with a substantial atrium area.
Above: Shows the Reference Library at Llanelli, which will be refurbished to a high standard and become an area worthy of housing the large and exclusive local history collection available at Llanelli Library.
The reference and music libraries along with the basic skills service have been moved temporarily to the top floor of the former British Legion Building in Vauxhall to enable work to start. Other stock and services are being moved around to accommodate the work.
All other services including adult lending, children’s library and activities, will continue to be provided in the current library in Vaughan Street.
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Above: This shows the Music Library area which will be totally refurbished and re-established as the Music Library - Wendy Tiffin our Lending Librarian looks on with Ron and Jonathan Lewis of KIERS Construction.
Following completion of phase three, a further capital bid will be submitted to fund phase four, which involves extensively remodelling the interior of the building.
Above: Shows mouldings which will be refurbished under the scheme and returned to their former glory.
Education and Children’s Services executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “The aim is to provide a wholly integrated, modern public library, housed in a safe, secure and attractive building, on the present library site in Llanelli.”
“The vision is to integrate the older part of the building with the newer elements, in order to provide one, seamless, modern, state-of-the-art, public library service; to provide an iconic building, and to reinforce the library as a worthy regional headquarters for the area.”
“It will also help develop the library as a community, learning, and cultural hub for the town and surrounding area.”
The adjacent Grade 1 listed building, Llanelly House, has also been awarded capital funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for complete refurbishment. The two projects will develop side by side, complementing one another, thereby regenerating and providing a notable ‘cultural gateway’ to Llanelli.
