Reopening of historic library delayed

Western Library, which was the first library in the city to be built from public funds in 1895, is having a £800,000 makeover.

The library, on the city’s Boulevard, closed last October and was due to reopen early next month, but that has now been put back to the second or third week of May, for extra work to be completed including fitting solar panels on the roof.

Funding for the revamp is coming from the James Reckitt Library Trust, the Townscape Heritage Initiative and Hull Council, which says it hopes it will create “superb” facilities for local residents.

A new extension will house a lift and stairwell giving people access to the first floor for the first time in over 30 years. Both floors are having a major overhaul to bring it up to modern standards, while keeping the original Victorian features.

The adjacent garden is being brought into the library complex for community use, with a group of volunteers being set up who will tend it in future.

A consultation day over the garden’s design and new fence will be held on March 24.