CULTURE Minister Edwin Poots visited Antrim last week to review progress on the town's new £3 million public library, with construction due to start in the summer.
JNP Architects' design for the Railway Street site include a cafe, a communal meeting room, a learning centre and a quiet study area.
Despite being in the centre of town, the architects have devised a little haven of peace for books lovers to enjo
y.
The complex will boast a landscaped outdoor reading garden, unique to the new library.
Speaking during his visit, Mr Poots said: “The new library will be a flagship in the local community, open four nights a week and all day Saturday. It will provide a café, reading garden, improved computer facilities, a community meeting room, learning centre and adult and children’s library areas.
“Modern, fit-for-purpose libraries are extremely popular and I know from my experience in Lisburn that when towns are provided with a state of the art facilities library use increases greatly.”
The NEELB hope that it will be an ideal location for children's activities in the summer months.
A balcony will overlook the garden so those inside will have a nice view to look out on.
Inside, the innovative design continues with a shelving system that can be moved throughout the building.
Book lovers can look forward to perusing over 23,000 titles and it is hoped that a self-service system will be in place to give library users the options of issuing their own books.
The new library's learning centre will be home to 30 computers and will be available for public use for the likes of internet use and research.
Minister Poots continued: “Detailed design and preparation work has been going on and the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) is currently selecting a contractor to build the new library. Work should start on the Railway Street site this summer and the new library will open in early 2010.”
Welcoming the plans, Alliance councillor David Ford said he hoped that it was a sign of things to come for the town.
“This is an exciting project and is one which points towards a future we all want - a thriving and regenerated Antrim,” Cllr. Ford said.
He added: “Construction is starting in the summer and local people will be looking forward to using the wide range of resources available in the new library. This facility will also provide a focal point for the community and will create the new services that the people of Antrim want and deserve.
“Lifelong learning is extremely important and I am glad that this project incorporates resources which will help deliver in this sphere.
“Antrim has waited far too long for this development, and the Ulster Bar corner has been blighted for a generation. The library is not only positive in itself, but also a statement about the economic regeneration of the town centre.
“It is disgraceful that government dogma, insisting on a private finance scheme which proved to be unworkable, has delayed the library for so long.
The full article contains 521 words and appears in Antrim Times newspaper.
