Renovated library ready to reopen

ONE of North Yorkshire’s best-loved libraries is to open its doors again next month after a 3.4m renovation project which has lasted for two years.

North Yorkshire County Council’s flagship library on Victoria Avenue, Harrogate will re-open to the public on Monday October 18 at 11am.

The historic Carnegie library, Harrogate’s central library, has been under renovation and extension for almost two years.

The scheme involved a huge logistical operation to move tens of thousands of books and thousands of pounds of computer equipment from Victorian Avenue to temporary accommodation at Copthall Bridge House.

Eighty thousand books, weighing well over 20 tonnes, were packed away for the transfer.

The newly revamped building will host a vast range of easily-accessed books, new meeting rooms, an internet and computer suite, a caf area, a changing place, self service kiosks, a dedicated area for teenagers and increased space for local studies.

Visitors on opening day will be entertained by a primary school choir and a barber shop quartet. An official opening of the library will be held in 2011.