Refurbishment timetable on Hastings library revealed

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, 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, at 9.30am, and will remain operational until the library in Claremont reopens in Spring 2017.

Lead member for community services Chris Dowling 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.”

The work will see a complete refurbishment of the library, which will create a welcoming environment with around 80sqm 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.

During the closure, library facilities will be available at nearby libraries including those at Hollington, 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 at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries or by calling 03456 080195.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.