READING Central Library will be open in its new home at the Civic Centre, Bridge Street, from Thursday, June 18, councillors have announced.
It comes after the original site of the library on Kings Road was closed for good this week ahead of the month-long move.
From this week, around 60,000 books will begin the move to the new library, meaning services at the former site will be unavailable.
The new library site will form part of the revitalised Civic Offices on Bridge Street, and is set to offer extended opening hours following the move.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, it will open an hour earlier in the morning, with access to self‑service library facilities such as book issue and return, and use of the work and study spaces.
The new Central Library will also include a dedicated teen area, with age-appropriate books and graphic novels; shared workspaces; a relaxed seating area; 18 free-to-use tablets and an additional eight laptops to borrow; 10 free-to-use computers; and dedicated zones for work, relaxation, or meetings.
As well as a large range of books, it will also host a dedicated local history section detailing the history of Reading.
No borrowed items are due back to Central Library during the transition period, and Reading Library books never incur fines.
However, residents who have borrowed an item will be able to return it to any of the other six community libraries in Reading in the meantime, or the new Central Library at the Civic Centre from June 18.
The King’s Road Library was purpose-built as the County Library for Berkshire and opened in 1985, replacing the Library in the Town Hall on Blagrave Street.
The revitalisation of the Civic Offices is the result of a multi-million-pound investment in the cultural offer in the town by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Arts Council England and Reading Borough Council.
Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of the Council, said: “The new Central Library will be a cultural asset and shows our investment into the town.
“While the former location has served the town well since 1985, it is no longer accessible, it’s dark and doesn’t have the facilities residents now require.
“We have been working hard to create a spacious library filled with books residents want to read, as well as work and study stations.
“This includes a wonderful and large children’s area surrounded by woodland scenes to help children fall in love with reading and books, which has been proven to set them on the right path to a good future. This also reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting families and giving every child in Reading the best possible start in life.
“This is a new chapter for library services in the town at a new location, and we are investing to ensure our libraries are delivering for everyone in our town.
“Our libraries are not just here to lend books, they are busy, vibrant, crucial centres of activity, supporting child and adult literacy, as well as offering a variety of creative events for young and old alike.
“We can’t wait to share the new Central Library with you.”
