Users have been given an idea of what an all-new library will look like in Reading once it’s finished.
The new Central Library, situated at Reading Borough Council offices in Bridge Street, will feature books galore, work areas, places for children and teenagers and more.
Concept CGI images show a bright, spacious facility with special areas for children, teens and a local history suite.
The project is being undertaken after the council was given approximately £8 million for the project from the previous Conservative government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The images and an update on the progress of the project was presented to the council’s Older Person’s Working Group.
Sarah Lawrence, a communications manager for the council, said: “There’ll be 90 workspaces and free Wifi, so people can work and study.
“We are considerably improving the children’s area. Children and young adults use the library the most, and we’re making sure they are catered for.
“We want the space to be bright and modern, we’re using a lot of colour, and easy to clean.”
There’ll also be a local and family history area on the first floor, and easily accessible toilets.
Councillor Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley), the chair of the group, asked whether there will be a coffee machine in the library.
While Mrs Lawrence wasn’t able to answer that, there are some coffee vending machines in the council offices and a coffee van outside.
She also dispelled a claim that the amount of books at the library will be reduced, saying that the provision will be comparable to that of the collection at the existing Central Library in Kings Road.
There has been speculation about a reduced availability of books after Camille James, a capital project manager, said as much at a group meeting in October 2023.
A series of suggestions were made by Laurence Berks, a senior citizen and member of the group.
He said: “It would be nice if there were a water cooler without having to ask a member of staff.”
Laurence: “The quiet sensory areas are important. I’d like to see some comfortable seating, even sofas.”
He mentioned that libraries in Wokingham Borough and West Berkshire have comfortable seating, and expressed hope that the seats will not be plastic as indicated in the CGIs.
Mr Berks welcomed the design as “modern and relevant” and supported indoor plants being installed, similar to those present at the Caversham and Tilehurst libraries.
He said: “Ventilation is absolutely critical. It’s a fact that plant use is therapeutic.”
He also suggested that breakout areas should be created for people who are studying and those taking business phone calls.
The presentation was given to the Older Person’s Working Group on Friday, July 4.
A consultation on the designs and themes of the service that will be provided is currently live on the council’s Go Vocal consultation website.
The deadline for responses is Saturday, July 26.
