READING residents are being invited to share their views on plans for the council’s combined library and civic centre from today, Thursday, August 3.
Reading Borough Council has laid out proposals to revamp Reading Central Library by moving to Bridge Street, where it will share space with an updated civic office building.
The consultation period has now begun, and the project team will be visiting the current Reading Central Library between 3.30pm-6.30pm on Thursday, August 3, and August 10, to discuss proposals and exhibit plans.
The exhibition is a pre-cursor to a formal planning application due in September, which, if agreed, could see work on the project begin in spring next year, and conclude around one year later.
After securing nearly £20m in “levelling up” funding from the government, Reading Borough Council set out proposals for the new library to join the civic offices on Bridge Street.
The new library would see considerable accessibility improvements over the current location on Kings Road, which is spread over a number of floors.
It would also see a number of new features, including space for community engagement projects.
Part of the plan would also see an update to the customer service and public reception in the civic offices, also aimed at providing better accessibility and improve efficiency and effectiveness of public provisions from the council.
There is also a children’s survey as the Council is keen to hear from the borough’s younger residents about what they would like to see in the new Central Library.
For under 16’s who complete the survey by Friday, August 11, there is a chance to win one of five £30 Smiggle or book vouchers.
Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council leader, said: “This is the first opportunity for residents to see the exciting plans for a new flagship library for Reading – a modern, fully accessible, and versatile building which would be much more than just a repository of books.
“Our aim is to create a flexible space for the whole community which embraces not only that traditional offer of books loans but also looks to the future with a hugely improved digital and learning offer for the local community.
“Alongside that, we are also taking the opportunity to completely redesign our customer reception to make it as welcoming and efficient as it possibly can be – a safe, welcoming, and accessible space for residents.
“I would urge residents to make their way to either the existing Central Library or the reception at the Civic Offices to take a look at the plans for themselves and let us know what you think ahead of the formal planning application being submitted.”
Public consultation on the plans remains open for feedback until Friday, August 11, and can be found at: reading.gov.uk/NewCivicLibrary
Full details of plans and updates on progress are available via: reading.gov.uk/leisure/revitalising-the-hexagon-and-central-library/
