DETAILS have been announced of the timetable for a major refurbishment of Hastings Library.
East Sussex County Council is embarking upon a complete revamp of the building, in Claremont, which will also see the children’s library move from its current base in nearby Robertson Passage.
Both libraries will close to the public on Saturday, February 20 2016 at 5pm, to allow a temporary adult and children’s library to be set up in the current children’s library.
The temporary library will open to the public on Monday, March 7 2016 at 9.30am, and will remain operational until the library in Claremont reopens in Spring 2017.
The work will see a complete refurbishment of the library, which will create a welcoming environment with around 80 sq m more public space than at present, while visitors will find a variety of online resources, books and newspapers.
There will also be space to study, an increased number of public access computers and free Wi-Fi throughout the building which can be picked up on visitors’ phones and tablets. The library will also include public toilets.
Cllr Chris Dowling, county council lead member for community services, said: “This refurbishment programme will create a flexible, modern library which meets the needs of the 21st century.
“It will also bring together the adults’ and children’s libraries on one, unified, easily accessible site in the heart of town.
“We do appreciate the closure while we set up the temporary library will cause some disruption for a short while, but we’d ask people to bear with us while we create a first class library facility for the people of Hastings.”
During the closure, library facilities will be available at nearby libraries including those at Hollintgon, Ore and Bexhill, while people can also use the council’s e-library to browse the catalogue and borrow e-books.
Meanwhile, local studies materials will be available during the closure period at Rye Library.
More information is available online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries or by calling 0345 6080195.