Relocated town centre library to open its doors

A relocated library that is the size of five tennis courts will reopen in a town centre today.

Reading's Central Library has moved to the town's Civic Centre on Bridge Street, with new stock being added to the 60,000 books that were moved from its former home.

It moved from Kings Road in May after 41 years there. The council said that was well used but the dated building was set over a series of floors making accessibility difficult and could not be improved without significant investment.

The first floor is accessible by lift and sees workspaces and a dedicated local history section detailing the history of Reading.

Reading Central MP Matt Rodda said the new library is "absolutely wonderful".

"It's great to have the library relocated to this site, really close to the Oracle and in the Civic Centre, where people can pop in if they need to do something [there]," he added.

Council leader Liz Terry encouraged everyone to explore the new library.

She said libraries are "not just here to lend books" but are crucial centres of activity "supporting child and adult literacy" and will be used for other events.

The space will offer extended its opening hours and will be open an hour earlier from 09:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The new children's library on the ground floor is more than double the size of the previous area and includes an area for teenagers.

Terry said for families and those with caring responsibilities the new forest-themed children's library is a "joy to be in."

The space has almost 100 work or study spaces and free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the library with new technology, including tablets and computers to use, and laptops available to borrow with free data.