A BRADFORD councillor wants local schools to make more use of a library now it has undergone a six-figure refurbishment.
Wibsey Library, in North Road officially reopened for the first time last Saturday after an emergency closure eight months ago, in February.
It was temporarily shut due to issues with the safety and condition of the floor but a review carried out into the works required to fix the issue found the building needed an extensive overhaul.
The library has been completely refreshed, modernised and transformed by the works, which cost £300,000 in total.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Martin Love (Green, Shipley) officially reopened the library, while the Leader of the Council, Susan Hinchcliffe and the three ward councillors for Wibsey also attended the launch event.
Councillor Ralph Berry (Labour, Wibsey) said on Wednesday that a lot of local people also turned up to the reopening, describing it as “absolutely heaving”, and hopes education settings in the area will take advantage of the newly revamped library.
He added: “There’s three primary schools within a short distance, I would like to see schools make more use of it.
“Books have never been more important in the life of children, in my view.
“Being also in the middle of the village, we want it to be a place where people come together.”
The library now has a completely new floor, with new damp proof and fresh vinyl and carpet.
It also has air conditioning, replacement LED lighting, new book stock – including popular fiction and non-fiction titles - and new automatic entrance doors, enabling easier access for people with mobility issues and pushchairs.
Other features include new shelving, furniture and equipment throughout, which provide a bright, modern interior with a more flexible layout for events and use by local groups and a bright new children’s area including a fun reading ‘nook’.
There is a fully accessible public toilet and improved meeting room facility, with a second meeting room with kitchenette.
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This has been a major refurbishment for Wibsey Library and has resulted in a much brighter, modern library that is fit for purpose as a hub serving communities in the south of the District.
She added: “The library will be more energy efficient and welcoming for customers including those with limited mobility.
“The new layout will allow for more events, services and activities as well as the exciting new children’s area."
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