New Woodingdean library – bigger, better and open longer
Woodingdean’s new library in Warren Road is expected to open on June 2.
The library will be open more hours a week than the previous one – as well as being bigger and offering better facilities.
The new facility is combined with a medical centre providing much-needed larger premises for Dr Sagar and Partners, hitherto at 1 The Ridgway. This will enable the practice to offer more facilities and services, plus better access for anyone with limited mobility.
The library, operated by Brighton & Hove City Council, will include:
• Modern, brighter, bigger space open to all
• Range of books, DVDs, toys and computers
• Special focus on health information and books
• Small meeting room for confidential discussions
• Large computer suite and meeting room for activities
• Out of hours entrance to maximise community use
To maximise access for the local community, particularly parents and carers, it will be opening two hours more per week – from 9am rather than 10am on Monday and Thursday.
New opening hours will therefore be Monday 9am-1pm; 2-5pm; Thursday 9am-1pm; 2-7pm; Saturday 10am-1pm; 2-4pm. This is a 10.5 per cent increase in opening hours.
Final opening day for the temporary library cabin will be Saturday May 24. As Monday 26 May is a bank holiday that will mean only two days without a library in Woodingdean.
The project has been underway since March 2013, including demolition of the former library building.
Chair of the council’s Economic Development & Culture committee Cllr Geoffrey Bowden said: “At a time when many local authorities are closing libraries I am proud that Brighton & Hove is bucking that trend and is delivering this new library, which is double the size of its 50 year old 'temporary' predecessor, which will run alongside a better medical centre.
"By having these two facilities available under one roof it is set to become a thriving and much-valued centre for the community.”