11 February 2008

New look for Caernarfon Library

Substantial upgrading work worth £115,000 has been completed at Caernarfon Library, with the new facilities already welcomed by regular users.  

As one of Gwynedd’s busiest libraries, the Council wanted the library to be a welcoming and user-friendly building, ensuring the best possible service to members of the public.  

Councillor Roy Owen, Gwynedd Council’s Life Long Learning Portfolio Leader said:

“Over 118,000 books, CDs and videos are borrowed from Caernarfon Library each year, therefore it is very important that the building is suitable and meets the needs of all our users.  

“Although the building itself isn’t old, we were anxious for the library to meet the needs of the 21 Century – so that we can make the best possible use of the space.  Our aim as Gwynedd Council’s Library Service is to ensure first class service to members of the public, and we believe that the refurbished library certainly does this.”

As part of the upgrading work, the library has been re-carpeted, new shelves have been erected, the children’s section has been redesigned, and a new disabled toilet and a baby changing facility has been installed.  The entrance to the library has also been redesigned.

Gwynedd Council’s Community Service Manager and Caernarfon Library Manager said:     

“Since the library was opened in 1982, the needs of our users have changed quite dramatically – back then the library was a great place to visit to borrow a book, and that was it.  Today, more adults and children visit the library and stay here for a while – reading a book, newspapers or using the computers available.   

“As part of the changes to the library, some of the computers have been relocated at the gallery on the ground floor, and we have redesigned the reference area to create a new leisurely reading area with easy chairs because a number of our user told us they would like to see a quieter area to read and relax.      

“If you haven’t already visited the library, remember to call in and see us.  You can join the library free of charge. There is a great variety of resources awaiting you, including Story Sacks for the youngest children, audio books, language learning packs, DVDs, newspapers and magazines, and free access to the computers and online facilities, including  ancestry.co.uk if you would like to start tracing your family tree.”

Plans are also in the pipeline to introduce a new self-service system at the library, meaning users will be able to borrow and return resources themselves, meaning staff will have more free time to help users to find what they are looking for. 

The upgrading work at the library has meant that it has been possible to assign more shelves for novels and children’s books – over a third of all the resources borrowed from Caernarfon Library are borrowed from children and young people.  Caernarfon Library is a very popular destination amongst children – with a story and song session held there every Friday afternoon between 1.30 and 2.30 (Thursday 10 April onwards).

The upgrading work was funded by CyMal Grant Project by the Welsh Assembly Government which is available to develop Community Libraries.

Creative Reading and Writing Club 

On Thursday, 21 February, a new Creative Reading and Writing Club will meet in the Community Room at Caernarfon Library at 7 :00pm

The Gwynedd Literature Promotion Scheme is supported by the Academi and Gwynedd Council. The Academi is the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Writers.

A warm welcome awaits everyone.