Exciting new chapter for refurbished city library

RESIDENTS, community leaders and library users have gathered together to celebrate £180,000 worth of improvements to their library.

They were joined by city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and assistant city mayor Councillor Kirk Master, to celebrate the refurbishment work carried out at Highfields library, in Melbourne Road.

During a 12-week programme of works which began last autumn, the public library space was refurbished to provide a modern, flexible library space. The improved layout includes a new children’s area, an improved study space and open areas to meet and read.

Accessible toilets were installed, and charging points added for people using their own laptops.

A community room has also been created, which people can hire for events, meetings or activities, and lighting and ventilation has been improved to help reduce the building’s carbon impact.

The librar also has a range of freeto-use, public-access computers and free public wifi access.

Councillor Kirk Master said: “I used this library as a child. It’s fantastic to see it looking so good. It’s one of our busiest neighbourhood libraries, with more than 200,000 visitors a year.”

The investment is part of the council’s Transforming Neighbourhood Services programme which consulted with people to find ways of making better use of community buildings.