- Latest
- By authority
- Changes by local authority
- List of withdrawn libraries
- List of UK volunteer libraries
- List of Library Trusts and prospective Library Trusts
- List of outsourced and prospective outsourced library authorities
- New and refurbished libraries by authority
- List of Staffless / “Open Plus” Libraries in the United Kingdom and beyond
- Options
- Volunteer-run libraries
- 2010-2014: From Community Library to Community-run library: a look at the impact of volunteers
- Pros: reasons for volunteer “community libraries”
- Cons: reasons against volunteer “community libraries”
- Practicalities
- “The reality is very different”: A volunteer library manager speaks
- Are volunteer libraries statutory or non-statutory?
- Four views on volunteer libraries: Sue Charteris, AnneMarie Naylor, Marylyn Haines-Evans of the WI and Ian Anstice
- The Risk Exposures of Volunteer Libraries
- A crude strategy but here to stay: Biddy Casselden on volunteer public libraries in the United Kingdom
- Council assistance for volunteers
- International
- Further reading
- Privatized Libraries / Outsourcing library services
- Overview
- Privatisation of public libraries: reasons in favour
- Privatisation of public libraries – Reasons against
- LS&S (formally known as LSSI).
- CILIP Update 9/11/11 “Monster or Saviour” article on privatised libraries
- Further reading
- Carillion and libraries
- The pros and cons of commercial involvement in libraries
- Trusts
- Efficiencies
- Increasing income
- A glimpse of Tokyo library life, by Sue Charteris
- Volunteer-run libraries
- Why libraries?
- A vision for public libraries
- Reasons for libraries: Educational
- Reasons for libraries: Equality
- Reasons for libraries: Value for money
- Reasons for libraries: Internet, E-books and IT
- Reasons for libraries: False economy
- Myth busting
- The Amazing Grace of Public Libraries (or aromatherapy for local living)
- Further reading
- Campaigners
- Consultations
- Meetings
- Conferences
- Minutes of the Library Campaign Conference 22/10/11
- Speak Up For Libraries Conference November 14th 2015
- Old-fashioned libraries are what we need? Thoughts on the Battle of Ideas public libraries debate, 19th October 2014
- Speak Up For Libraries Conference 23rd November 2013
- Speak Up For Libraries Conference, 22 November 2014
- A to Z of Campaigning tactics
- General Election 2015 and Public Libraries: statements from Conservatives, Greens, Labour and Lib Dems on libraries
- Fundraising
- Legal
- “Suicides, literacy and Space Hoppers”, Politics article 13/6/11
- Angry about cuts to Newport Libraries
- Users
- Websites for library users
- What do public library staff do?
- Trends in libraries: BBC “The Library Returns” May 2012
- Glossary of common library terms
- Transcript of Michael Rosen’s “Our Libraries: The Next Chapter” on Radio Four
- Nick Poole on what can we learn from the past to inform the future of public libraries
- A little less conversation: Nick Poole from CILIP writes about the problems with public libraries and action needed
- Libraries Taskforce Kathy Settle sets the records straight
- Practitioners
- E-Books in public libraries
- Careers
- Practitioners: What senior managers think 27/3/12
- Library management systems
- New Libraries
- Promotional techniques and Marketing
- “The social aspect of reading”: Fife’s success with food, wizards and comic-cons
- So you’re dependent on fines: The seven step plan to removing your addiction
- Geocaching and public libraries
- Stock management – A complete beginners guide
- Minecraft in public libraries
- Welcome emails
- Lego in libraries
- Public libraries and social media: as local and as useful as your fingers
- Customer service: welcome the complaints and damn well enjoy yourself
- Fun Palaces in Public Libraries: What, How and Why … the case study of Lambeth
- Dogs in public libraries
- 3D Printers and Maker Spaces in Libraries
- Ideas and innovations in public libraries
- Thema: Graham Bell describes Thema, the new subject classification for the global book industry
- Useful
- About
New and refurbished libraries by authority
A note on the information on this page
The list was created partly with help from information supplied by the DCMS and from an article from ConservativeHome. Updates on new projects are received via media reports and emails from councils and the public. If the email is from the council, I take this at face value, otherwise I look for other references too. If you spot any errors, I would be grateful if you could inform me.
A report that looks at new libraries, and the reasons for them, produced by Herefordshire Libraries User Group is available on this link.
For the problems associated with new builds and refurbishments see here. Pictures of some of the libraries mentioned can be found here via Pinterest.
2018
1. Kent – New Meopham Library opens after moving sites. (2)
2. Suffolk – New library to replace old Eye Library. (3)
2017
- Aberdeenshire – Banff library reopens after renovation: museum, sofas with USBs, new furniture. (10)
- Anglesey – Confirmed Holyhead Library will move into Market Hall with business hub after £2.4m refurbishment. (1)
- Bexley – New library to be built at Southmere / Thamesmead. (6)
- Bristol – Bishopston new library opens, replacing Cheltenham Road Library.(5)
- Calderdale – £9m Halifax Central Library opens September 2017.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Chester Library to close on March 31st: Library to move into co-located (with theatre/cinema) £37m Storyhouse from May. (3)
- Derbyshire – Belper Library to move into combined care home/library building. (4) £2m new Glossop Library, extension to adult education centre, open Spring 2018, Existing library in Victoria Hall to close. (6)
- Dorset – Lyme Regis Library given to developers – new library will be built. (3)
- Hertfordshire – Hemel Hempstead Library moves into £15m co-location with voluntary services, CreatorSpace. (1) New Berkhamsted Library sees 31% increase in usage. (10)
- Highlands – Wick Library now co-located with gym and swimming pool. (4)
- Islington – Cat and Mouse Library opens (replacing John Barnes Library, closed 2015).(12)
- Kent – Tunbridge Wells Library to close for two years while new £13.3m combined library/museum/art gallery/adult education centre. (11)
- Lincolnshire – New library building for Skellingthorpe, co-located with café and heritage centre.(3)
- Merton – New library at Colliers Wood (partnership with developer) in 2018. (12)
- North Lincolnshire – New £1.2m Winterton Library opened: co-located with council desk and gym, twice size old library. (4) Scunthorpe Library to include housing, employment and health services in £1m co-location/refurbishment. (9)
- Northamptonshire – Moulton – combined new co-location, with café/children’s centre activities.
- Nottinghamshire – £1m refurbishment of Beeston Library, (5)
- Renfrewshire – £5m new library in Paisley (£3.5m from council, £1.5m from Scottish Government) to replace older library.(3)
- Stoke – Newcastle Library will move into £15.4m new co-location: one third smaller space, fewer books, more IT. (8)
- Sutton – £700k refurbishment for Sutton Central (10)
2016
- Blaenau Gwent – Ebbw Vale Library refurbished. (June 2016)
- Caerphilly – £48k refurbishment for Ystrad Mynach Library. (September 2016)
- Camden – New (replacement) library, combined with Cockpit Arts, as part of housing development.
- Cheshire East – Crewe Library moves into co-location with leisure centre.
- Enfield – £4.2m “transformation” of Edmonton Green Library planned: with added IT Centre, study spaces, local history and museum. (Library closed for one year from September 2016).
- Flintshire – New co-located library opens at Deeside Leisure Centre: replacing Hawarden, Mancot and Queensferry which will close this month.(Feb 2016)
- Haringey – Marcus Garvey Library reopens after £3 upgrade (July 2016)
- Hertfordshire – Watford Library £400k refurb includes “CreatorSpace” with 3D printers (November 2016).
- Manchester – Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre opens : replaces Levenshulme Cromwell Grove Library. (Feburary 2016). Chorlton Library to be refurbished (February 2016).
- Oxfordshire – Bicester to move into new £6.6m co-location on 11 April. Library to be “larger and have better facilities”.
- Oxfordshire – Extra £2.1m for Oxford Central Library refurbishment.
- Pembrokeshire – £3.4m new library/gallery/café in Haverfordwest.
- Slough – £22m “The Curve” library and cultural centre opened.
- South Tyneside – £16m “The Word” National Centre for the Written Word opened (10).
- Southampton – Woolston Library reopens in new building as part of property deal. (8)
- Southend – Kent Elms Library to be refurbished: new entrance and meeting room. (9)
- Warwickshire – Southam Library opens (part of £12.4m development project) (January 2016) Reopening via refurbishment. Alcester moved into co-located Globe House.
2015
- Barnsley – New central library announced as landmark of £50m town centre redevelopment (announced Jan 2015)
- Bradford – Shipley Library will have £640k refurbishment inc. self-service machines, new exhibition area, heating, toilets. (June 1015) £240k “essential repairs” for Eccleshill Library.
- Brent – Willesden Green Library reopens after major rebuilding.
- Buckinghamshire – £100k improvement to Buckingham Library. (July 2015)
- Derbyshire – New £892k library opened at Heanor, including health and wellbeing zone. (December 2015)
- East Renfrewshire – Barrhead Foundry – Co-located library with leisure centre and business centre.
- East Sussex – Official opening of Newhaven Library (opened in March).
- Greenwich – Greenwich Centre Library opened June 2015 (new build). Abbey Wood Library to mov into new building in Cross Quarter. (November 2015 announced)
- Herefordshire – Ledbury Library reopens in Master’s House, £2.9m move from old library. (March 2015)
- Merton – Donald Hope Library £1.2m upgrade, paid for by development. Temporary library for site for 2 years while work takes place. (August 2015)
- Milton Keynes – New Kingston Library opened January 2015. Bletchley Library receives £529k for refurbishment: will collocate with others, possibly police. (October 2015)
- Newcastle – Newburn Library reopens after refurbishment. (September 2015)
- Newham – Gate Library reopens after refurb inc. café, wifi, community space and digital displays. (June 2015)
- Nottinghamshire – Bingham Library £720k refurbishment inc. moving in of children’s centre. £300k improvements to Arnold Library completed inc. new books, gift shop, café and study section.
- Plymouth – Central Library planned to move to Armada Way (August 2015)
- Renfrewshire – Johnstone – ” creates a new model for the delivery of community services with the public library, theatre, marriage suite, conference room and café sitting alongside staff from the council’s housing and social services departments, AdviceWorks, Police Scotland and MacMillan Cancer Support. In this respect it is an extraordinary building inside and out.” (May 2015).
- Shetland – New mobile library starts. (September 2015)
- Solihull – Central Library refurbishment includes increased co-location with voluntary services and two cafes. December 2015)
- South Tyneside – “The Word” new library/digital centre in South Shields to be built.
- Staffordshire – Stafford Library moving to new building in Staffordshire Place, expected to be open in September. Additions will include “digital touch tables”, innovation suite (including 3D printers and Raspberry Pi’s) (August 2015)
- Surrey – Cobham Library reopens in Cedar Centre: takes ground floor in community-group run building.(July 2015, replacement)
- Wakefield – Sandal Library refurbished in association with the Alzheimer’s Society (early 2015).
- Waltham Forest – Leytonstone Library reopens after £1.5m refurbishment. (September 2015)
- Warrington – £16m collocated leisure centre/heritage/health/library planned for Great Sankey. (June 2015)
- Worcestershire – Stourport Library reopens in Civic Centre (along with Coroner’s Office and Town Council) following move from County Buildings. (April 2015) Bromsgrove Library reopens in co-located building: £6.9m jointly between county and borough council. (November 2015)
2014
- Brighton and Hove – 2 – Woodingdean Library opens in new co-located building with community/medical centre (old library closed). (6) New library (co-location with academy) opened at Mile Oak. (8) Both are replacements.
- Bromley – New Penge Library opened, replacing two older libraries in Penge and Anerley. (October 2014)
- Cambridgeshire – New Sawston Library announced to replace burnt down old one (£1.25m replacement). New East Barnwell Library (£1.8m) to replace existing building. Both will be co-locations with community rooms and other council services. (Feb 2014).
- Cumbria – Barrow in Furness £160k refurbishment (March 2014). Source: email from council. See pictures here.
- East Sussex – Seaford Library opens August 2014.
- Enfield – Palmers Green Library undergoing refurbishment for more than one year (7)
- Hillingdon – Uxbridge refurbished (all 17 branches now completed) (March 2014).
- Kent – £450k refurbishment of Dartford Library after consultation, possibly including an independent living centre (August 2014)
- Lambeth – Streatham Library reopened after £1.4m refurbishment (March 2014).
- Manchester – £50m refurbishment of Manchester Central Library completed (March 2014).
- Newham – New library opened at East Ham. £14.3m joint use building includes 30,000 books, language lab, customer service centre. (Feb 2014).
- Northamptonshire – Towcester Library to move into co-located building with other council offices (2014).
- Powys – £200k move of Llandrindod Wells library into council offices (£180k granted by Welsh Government) by February 2015.
- Redbridge – South Woodford Library to be co-located with gym and studio. Library to reduce from three floors to an expanded one floor. £600k Work expected to start in September. (7)
- Solihull – Shirley Library opened on 19th May 2014.
- South Tyneside – New library and digital media centre announced to drive footfall and investment (Sep 2014).
- Stockton – Norton Library refurbished. New combined Billingham Library/customer service centre replaces two libraries (December 2014).
- Sunderland – £500k refurbishment (as part of strategy after closure of nine branches) (April 2014).
- Vale of Glamorgan – £250k refurbishment of Llantwit Major Library (with Cymal funding). (Sept 2014)
- Wiltshire – Corsham library moved into joint building sports and community centre (August 2014)
- Windsor and Maidenhead – New Boyn Grove Library opened April 2014, Maidenhead Library refurbished June 2014.
- Worcestershire – Bewdley Library to move into co-location with medical centre (announced July 2014).
- York – £1.5m refurbishment to York Explore Library Learning Centre, including Archives, will open in January 2015
2013
- Barnet – Church End Library may move circa 2016/16 into bottom of Finchley housing development, on rental basis, with existing library building sold.
- Bath – Paulton Library Community hub. Moved into shopping centre. Expected Spring 2013. New (replacement).
- Birmingham – Central – £188m. Expected 2013. New (replacement). Sutton Coldfield – improved children’s library and co-located council services – reopened May 2013 after closure for two years due to repairs.
- Blackburn with Darwen – £2m upgrade of Blackburn Library starts (April 2013)
- Bracknell Forest – £50k refit for Binfield Library.
- Bradford – £8m new City Library due to old library having asbestos. Money to be raised by saving on rents/maintenance (started May 2013, expected by end of 2013). See also this. Silsden Library reopens in town hall with 2,000 books and self-service (soon to include after hours) replacing Wesley Place Library sold by council to pay for town hall refurbishment. (Novermber 2013)
- Brent – Willesden Green Cultural Centre – Combining library, museum, One Stop Shop, cafe. Expected 2014 – Refurbishment. Civic Centre – combining council HQ/garden/registrars/retail – 2013 – New (replacement for Town Hall library). Wembley Library will open on 17th June 2013 inc. 8 iPads in children’s area, cafe, wifi.
- Bridgend – New Bridgend Library opens in Recreation Centre. Part of scheme to move libraries into leisure centres (already in place at Garw and Ogmore) in partnership with Halo Leisure November 2013.
- Brighton and Hove. Woodingdean Library to close March 2013, with new building merging library, community centre and medical centre. £500k on library (£1.6m overall) to be built.
- Bristol – New library Junction 3 opened, £3m inc. computer suite and learning centre (March 2013).
- Caerphilly – Caerphilly Library – with Customer Service Centre – 2013. New (replacement).
- Calderdale – Halifax Central – Existing library to be bulldozed for new town centre development. £10m replacement library to be built by Piece Hall by end of 2015, with some controversy. New, replacement.
- Cardiff – Canton Library is to undergo a £829,000 refurbishment in the next financial year.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Frodsham Library moves into co-location with Leisure Centre and partners with Work Club and One Stop Shop. (December 2013).
- Coventry – Central Library £130k refurbishment March 2013.
- Croydon – New Addington Library opens (inc. doubled in size children’s library) May 2013.
- Denbighshire – New Prestatyn Library to open in September (£550k from council, £300k from Cymal) in partnership “health and social care services, that will be able to use the counselling rooms, computer terminals and help desks”. New Library Plus in Prestatyn: co-location with health/social care/college/schools. £1m council funding inc. £300k from Welsh Government. (11).
- Derby – Local Studies Library – to be relocated from its current premises to part of the newly refurbished Old Magistrates Court building – May 2014 (source; email from council 6/2/13).
- Derbyshire – New £2.4m Ashbourne library: co-located with day centre, exhibition space, a registrar’s office and ceremony room and office facilities for council officials (May 2013). Glossop £2m refurbishment planned.
- Devon – Exeter Central – £3.5m. Expected 2013/4. From proceeds from sale of Exeter Airport. Refurbishment. Sidmouth consultation on major refurbishment (18/2/13) and completed (October 2013).
- Doncaster – Central – £120k refurb – Feb 2013.
- Dorset – Dorchester new co-located library/adult learning centre in Charles Street to open in June 2013. Replaces Colliton Park Library. Christchurch Library – £2m extension to open mid-May 2013. 20% more books. To be co-located with Adult Learning (saving £50k p.a.)
- Ealing – Hanwell Library – £900k Refurbishment. Due to reopen May 2013. Perivale library – £400k refurbishment. £900k to renovate Southall Library into Dominion Arts Centre. £454k refurbishment for Greenford and Pitshanger libraries for installation of self-service and increase space June 2013.
- East Ayrshire – New Auchinleck Library on 15th April 2013.
- East Lothian – North Berwick – Refurbishment. (info received by email from council).
- East Renfreshire – £450k redesign for Giffnock, to include heritage centre (July 2013).
- East Sussex – Bexhill Library refurbished. (April 2013). Hastings Library and register office: expanding library into neighbouring Brassey Institute. Planning application to be submitted February 2013. Seaford – First Half 2014. Combined with older people centre and assisted living flats. New (replacement). Newhaven to be refurbished and expanded (May 2013).
- Enfield – Ordnance Road Library demolished: will be rebuilt as combined library/dentist/doctor/community centre (7) £4.45m upgrade for Palmers Green Library inc. wifi and more computers. (10).
- Essex – Springfield (Chelmsford) combined with youth centre. First new library in 25 years. It is being staffed with volunteers from the start, with paid staff support – New.
- Fife – Kirkcaldy refurb £2.5m joins library with museum and gallery. Opened 8th June. 2013.
- Glasgow – Knightswood £300k repairs and refurbishment. Woodside £40k repair/refurb. £2m upgrade for Mitchell Library planned (July 2013).
- Hammersmith and Fulham – Hammersmith Library £2m refurbishment 2013 “Hammersmith Library £2m merging with Record Office, with “more books, new furniture and shelving, self-issue terminals and music listening posts.”“
- Havering – Rainham Library – New, colocation with flats and lifelong learning centre. Expected to begin building early 2013. Harold Hill to be replaced with new building in shopping centre.
- Herefordshire – Ledbury Library to move into Master’s House after £2.9m restoration. May 2013.
- Hertfordshire – Borehamwood Community Complex – To replace Elstree Way library. Combined library/museum/youth/community centre. Harpenden Library to move into former Argos building. Combined with youth centre. (reported April 2013, opened July 2013).
- Isles of Scilly – New Porthcressa Library opens (June 2013).
- Islington – John Barnes – As part of property redevelopment. New, replacement. Expected 2014 or 2015.
- Leicestershire – Market Harborough Library to be refurbished and expanded.
- Liverpool – Central – £50m – Expected 2013. Refurbishment.
- Manchester – Central – Expected Spring 2014. Refurbishment.
- Midlothian – Lasswade Centre – dual school/public library replaces Bonnyrigg Library – replacement.
- Milton Keynes – Kingston Library to be moved into new building, with shell completed October 2013.
- North Somerset – Winscombe library reopens after refurbishment (extension, more computers, wifi, seating, self-service) (July 2013). Weston Super Mare Library moved into Town Hall: wifi, self-service (8).
- North Tyneside – North Shields Central Library to reopen after £2.6m refurbishment (closed since Dec 2011 due to heating problems) (May 2013). New library to be built in Wallsend as part of shared services building (reported April 2013).
- North Yorkshire – Thirsk – Replacement. To be co-located with housing for the elderly.
- Northamptonshire – Kettering library £265k refurbishment to entrance, May 2013.
- Northern Ireland –New Draperstown Library opened (twice the size of old one) – May 2013. New Draperstown Library opened,, double the size of the old one, at cost of £155k (September 2013). 2 new libraries to be built at Lisnaskea and Kilkeel. (2014/15).
- Northumberland – Amble Library refurbished, including co-locaton with Registrars, Social Care, meeting rooms. (April 2013).
- Nottingham – £1.9m refurbishment of combined library and community centre planned in Strelley. (Jan 2014)
- Nottinghamshire – Further investment proposed : “A long-term £3.3 million programme will be presented to the county council’s culture committee today, outlining where the money will be spent.Libraries in Keyworth and Ollerton are planned to be revamped in 2014-15; Edwinstowe and Ruddington in 2015-16; and Langold, Arnold, and Newark between 2016-17 and 2018-19. It is also proposed to renovate Mansfield Woodhouse, Calverton, Ravenshead, Blidworth, and East Leake by 2022-23″. West Bridgford – £5.2m overhaul, opened March 2013. Refurbishment. Stapleford – Closed for seven months from March 2013.
- Pembrokeshire – Central library and record office originally planned to be refurbished from Spring 2013 but cancelled due to cost: library may move further into town centre instead. Tenby Library to move into new school site for dual-use public/school use (reported June 2013).
- Peterborough – Co-located leisure centre and library to replace Serpentine Green Library. To be run by Vivacity. (2013).
- Renfrewshire – Johnstone Library to move into all-purpose council building in Spring 2015. New, co-located replacement.
- Rochdale – Central Library reopens in council offices.
- Sefton – Atkinson Centre Library opens inc. self-service, out-of-hours return, expanded children’s library, co-location with art gallery and tourist information centre. Early 2013.
- Sheffield – Highfield – March 2013. “. Improvements include complete remodeling of the adult and children’s library, installation of a lift, additional computers for the People’s Network, a public toilet and a community space that allows for the provision of light refreshments.”. Refurbishment.
- Slough – Britwell – March 2013. Community centre including library, opened by the Queen.
- Solihull – Shirley Library to move to retail unit in Parkgate Centre (agreed by council, July 2013).
- Somerset – Yeovil – 2013 – refurbished inc. self-service, carpets, desk, shelving, new entrance and energy efficient lighting
- Southend – Forum – August 2013. £27m Joint build with College and University. New (replacement).
- Southwark – New library planned in Camberwell (reported June 2013).
- Stockton – Billington – 2013 onwards – Joint library/customer contact centre. Source: comment below. New (replacement).
- Surrey – Cobham – Cobham Library to be rebuilt as colocation with community centre as part of a property deal
- Swansea – £345k refurbishment for Morriston Library (June 2013).
- Telford and Wrekin – Southwater One – new co-located library expected 2014. Dawley Library (part of Phoenix Academy complex) 3013.
- Tower Hamlets – Ideas Store Watney Market – May 2013. ” the first of the new generation of Idea Stores to bring library services together with multi-agency information services and a ‘One Stop Shop’, offering benefits to the local community in the areas of health and employment. “. New (replacement).
- Wakefield – £1.4m combined Castleford library/museum to open in December 2013.
- Waltham Forest – £5m for Chingford, Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow converting them to “Library Plus” to include libraries taking on “birth registrations, children’s centre activities and adult learning courses, as well as possibly including police meetings” – May 2013
- Warwickshire – Southam Library to close, with library moving into co-location with many other council services (reported April 2013)
- Westminster – Marylebone – Purpose-built library expected in 2015. New (replacement).
- Wigan – Life Centre – Co-located library, 2013.
- Wiltshire – Springfield Campus combined community centre/library etc planned (for 2014/15).
- Windsor and Maidenhead – New Dedworth library to open on 28th Jan (£625k) as joint school/public library – New (replacement/co-location). New library with a sensory room could be built at Boyn Grove Resource Centre (May 2013).
- Worcestershire – (1) Pershore – £500k refurb from April 2013. Library now run by Town Council. Replacement. (2) New mobile/library bus starts (March 2013) for library/council services. (3) Bromsgrive – see this article.
2012: 34 new buildings (with 4 apparently being entirely new).
- Birmingham – Shard End – £1.9m library and community centre. As part of redevelopment. June 2012. New.
- Bracknell Forest – Bracknell – £500k refurbishment inc. cafe and laptop area. September 2012. Refurbishment.
- Brent – Kilburn – £650k – reopening September 2012. Refurbishment.
- Bromley – Orpington – May 2012 – £1.5m. New (replacement).
- Carmarthenshire – Llanelli – March 2012 – £3.8m. Refurbishment.
- City of London – Artizan Street Library and Community Centre, replacing demolished Camomile Street Library. Reopening 10th Dec.
- Cumbria – Egremont – July 2012. New (replacement).
- Derby – Chaddesden – March 2013. Built in Chaddesden Park, close to the current building which will be demolished. Designed to be sympathetic to its parkland setting, and features green “living” roof, solar panels and rainwater harvesting. £1.4m. New (replacement).
- Devon – Passmore Edwards Centre (Newton Abbot) – June 2012. Combined library with adult and community learning, cafe, meeting rooms. New (replacement).
- Dudley – £208k refurb of St Jame’s Road Library – Oct 2012. Refurbishment. Netherton Library moves into Savoy Centre – April 2012.
- Durham – Crook Civic Centre – Old library used for development. New (replacement).
- East Lothian – Dunbar (June) and Tranent (October) libraries. Both new (replacements).
- Enfield – Millfield – May 2012. New (replacement).
- Halton – Market – 2012. £550k. New (replacement for Runcorn Library).
- Hertfordshire – Welwyn Garden Centre – Autumn 2012. Refurbishment.
- Hillingdon – South Ruislip – September 2012 – New (replacement).
- Inverclyde – South West Library – November 2012 – £300k refurbishment.
- Kent – Kent History and Library Centre – April 2012. Replaced the Centre for Kentish Studies, East Kent Archives Centre, County Central and Maidstone (St Faiths Street) libraries. New (replacement). Edenbridge – will move into community centre 2012 – Move. Beaney (Canterbury) – September 2012, inc. galleries and museum – £14m – New (replacement).
- Knowsley – Prescot Centre – April 2012. £1.2m in combination with museum and One Stop Shop. New (replacement).
- Lambeth – Clapham – £6.5m, built as part of deal with developers. July 2012.
- Leicestershire – Forest East (Leicester) – August 2012. New (replacement). £1.3m works in Loughborough Library so adult learning / disability help can also be based in building – November 2012. Refurbishment/co-location.
- Newcastle – Simonside Community Centre – July 2012. Move (library changed from purpose built council-run building to smaller space in partnership with community centre).
- North Lincolnshire – Angel (previously Brigg) – June 2012. New (replacement). Broughton – Summer 2012 – New.
- North Somerset – Town Hall – October 2012. Replaces Boulevard Library – New (replacement).
- Northumberland – Spetchells Centre (Prudhoe) – £1.6m building includes library. April 2012. New (replacement).
- Nottingham – St Ann’s Valley Library – Along with doctors, youth services, housing services. August 2012. New (replacement).
- Oldham – Fitton Hill (Oldham). In neighbourhood centre – July 2012. New.
- Peterborough – Orton – July 2012 – New (replacement).
- Redbridge – Central – July 2012 – £1m refurbishment.
- Rotherham – Central (Rotherham) – April 2012. New (replacement).
- Scilly – Porthcressa. Expected end of 2012. New (replacement).
- Sefton – Netherton Activity Centre (Netherton) – June 2012 – combines library with community centre. New (replacement).
- Surrey. Woking – April 2012. Refurbishment.
- Sutton – Westcroft Leisure Centre (Carshalton) – December 2012. New (replacement),
- Wakefield – Wakefield One – Pictures. Combined with museum. New (replacement).
- Wales – Cymal has provided £1m funding for refurbishing eight libraries: Caerphilly, Baglan, Pontycymer, Bettws, Chirk, Mold, Prestatyn and Aberaeron – Refurbishment.
- Walsall – Pelsall – Combined new health centre and library. New (replacement).
- Warrington – Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub – May 2012, co-location, opened by the Queen – New (replacement).
- Wigan – Life Centre (Wigan), part of leisure centre. New (replacement).
- Wiltshire – Trowbridge – September 2012. By cafe and register office, will be part of new County Hall. New (replacement). “Trowbridge’snew Library has surpassed Wiltshire Council’s expectations since opening in September last year. The facility, at County Hall, has acquired 4,378 new members and had 200,888 visitors.That is 14.3 per cent higher than was anticipated. The library moved from Bythesea Road to the refurbished County Hall.” … “Since the move, the library has recorded a 70 per cent increase in reserving books.” (October 2013).
- Worcestershire – The Hive (Worcester) – July 2012 – joint public and academic library. £60m funded by PFI. Replaces Worcester Central Library and the University Library. New (replacement).
- York. Rowntree Park Reading Cafe: cafe with 1000 books. New.
2011: 16 new buildings (with 3 being apparently entirely new)
- Barnsley – Hoyland Centre – August. Library/Council One Stop Shop. Replacement.
- Brent – Ealing Road – March 2011 – Refurbishment.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Ellesmere Port – August 2011 – Refurbishment.
- Derbyshire – Chesterfield – January 2012. Refurbishment.
- Devon – The Hayridge, which is a new library, adult learning centre and café in Cullompton.
- East Lothian – John Gray Centre in Haddington – March 2012. New (replacement).
- Edinburgh – Drumbrae – Adult day care, cafe, police, one stop shop. January 2012. New.
- Hackney – Dalston CLR James – March 2012. £4,4m. New (replacement).
- Hertfordshire – Dolphin Yard (Hertford) – January 2012. As part of deal with developers. New (replacement).
- Kent. Ashford – July 2011 – As part of Ashford Gateway Plus – New (replacement). Gravesend – August 2011, £2.5m – refurbishment.
- Lewisham – Deptford Lounge – Febuary 2012. New (replacement).
- Lincolnshire – Wragby – Opened May 2011. Alongside fire service. Usage up 25%.
- Milton Keynes – Woburn Sands – February 2012. In partnership with town council, “more accessible”. New (replacement).
- Newcastle – Jesmond – £40k – June 2011. Refurbishment. Blakelaw – April 2011 – Refurbishment.
- Nottinghamshire – Mansfield – January 2012. £3.4m. Refurbishment.
- Plymouth – Plympton – On site of old Woolworths store. With cafe (inc. Woolworths style pick ‘n’ mix) and one stop shop. February 2012. Replacement for library destroyed by fire in 2008.
- Portsmouth – Southsea – July 2011. New (replacement).
- Southwark – Canada Water – £14m. December 2012. New.
- Staffordshire – Cheslyn Hay – February 2012. In village hall extension. New (replacement).
- Stockton – Central – (source: comment below) Refurbishment of 1968 building with added contact centre, cafe, conference centre – Refurbishment.
- Surrey – Dorking – January 2012. See a walkthrough panoramic view of the library here. New (replacement).
- Telford & Wrekin – Wellington – Moved into leisure centre, one stop shop and register office. New (replacement).
- Warwickshire – Shire Hall (Warwick) – February 2012. Moved from Barrack Street to cut costs. New (replacement).
Leave a Reply to Stephen Cancel reply
Subscribe or Search
Contact
Please send any news, comment or thoughts to ianlibrarian@live.co.uk.Find library changes and recent news near you
Numbers
From 1st January 2018: 20 libraries + 2 mobiles in Derbyshire.
From 1st January 2017, 100 libraries are under threat (5 in Bath, 17 in Bristol, 17 in Bury, 5 in Cheshire East, 3 in Cumbria, 8 in East Sussex, 4 in Liverpool, 7 in Midlothian, 28 in Northamptonshire, 10 in Plymouth, 4 in South Tyneside).
Since 1st April 2016 to end of March 2017. CIPFA reported 105 libraries closed, bringing the total to 3745 branches. 2015 to end of March 2016: CIPFA reported 121 libraries closed, bringing the total to 3850 libraries. In 2014/15 there was a decline of 106 public libraries, (with 260 static libraries were put under threat of closure/passing to volunteers. 9 mobile libraries under threat in the same period). .
There were 4023 in 2013/14, 4482 in 2009/10 and 4622 in 2003/4. CIpfa have calculated that 121 service points lost in 2015/16, 106 service points were lost in 2014/15, 49 were lost in 2013/14, 74 were lost in 2012/13, 201 in 2011/12, 33 in 2010/11.
....
The complete list is on "Tally by Local Authority" page as are other changes to budgets such as cuts to hours, bookfund and staffing. ....
For a list of new and refurbished buildings see this page,Recent Posts
- It’s almost local election time … plus libraries and privacy
- Northants gets taken to court over library cuts, twice
- 15:1 ACE General Council plus something taught in library school
- “A pair of armbands for many in the UK”
- Library, Library, Library? A TV show featuring libraries, plus SCL on London choice
Recent Comments
- David Frost on New and refurbished libraries by authority
- Sue Taylor on Meanwhile, in bookselling, Amazon takes over
- Ian Anstice on Meanwhile, in bookselling, Amazon takes over
- Tim Coates on Meanwhile, in bookselling, Amazon takes over
- Darren Smart on A time to think is a bit of a luxury in council library services
RSS Link
Archives
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
Pages
- About
- By authority
- Changes by local authority
- List of Library Trusts and prospective Library Trusts
- List of outsourced and prospective outsourced library authorities
- List of Staffless / “Open Plus” Libraries in the United Kingdom and beyond
- List of UK volunteer libraries
- List of withdrawn libraries
- New and refurbished libraries by authority
- Campaigners
- “Suicides, literacy and Space Hoppers”, Politics article 13/6/11
- A to Z of Campaigning tactics
- Angry about cuts to Newport Libraries
- Conferences
- Minutes of the Library Campaign Conference 22/10/11
- Old-fashioned libraries are what we need? Thoughts on the Battle of Ideas public libraries debate, 19th October 2014
- Speak Up For Libraries Conference 23rd November 2013
- Speak Up For Libraries Conference November 14th 2015
- Speak Up For Libraries Conference, 22 November 2014
- Consultations
- Fundraising
- General Election 2015 and Public Libraries: statements from Conservatives, Greens, Labour and Lib Dems on libraries
- Legal
- Meetings
- Options
- A glimpse of Tokyo library life, by Sue Charteris
- Efficiencies
- Increasing income
- Privatized Libraries / Outsourcing library services
- Carillion and libraries
- CILIP Update 9/11/11 “Monster or Saviour” article on privatised libraries
- Further reading
- LS&S (formally known as LSSI).
- Overview
- Privatisation of public libraries – Reasons against
- Privatisation of public libraries: reasons in favour
- The pros and cons of commercial involvement in libraries
- Trusts
- Volunteer-run libraries
- 2010-2014: From Community Library to Community-run library: a look at the impact of volunteers
- Cons: reasons against volunteer “community libraries”
- Council assistance for volunteers
- Further reading
- International
- Practicalities
- “The reality is very different”: A volunteer library manager speaks
- A crude strategy but here to stay: Biddy Casselden on volunteer public libraries in the United Kingdom
- Are volunteer libraries statutory or non-statutory?
- Four views on volunteer libraries: Sue Charteris, AnneMarie Naylor, Marylyn Haines-Evans of the WI and Ian Anstice
- The Risk Exposures of Volunteer Libraries
- Pros: reasons for volunteer “community libraries”
- Practitioners
- 3D Printers and Maker Spaces in Libraries
- Careers
- E-Books in public libraries
- Ideas and innovations in public libraries
- Library management systems
- New Libraries
- Practitioners: What senior managers think 27/3/12
- Promotional techniques and Marketing
- “The social aspect of reading”: Fife’s success with food, wizards and comic-cons
- Customer service: welcome the complaints and damn well enjoy yourself
- Dogs in public libraries
- Fun Palaces in Public Libraries: What, How and Why … the case study of Lambeth
- Geocaching and public libraries
- Lego in libraries
- Minecraft in public libraries
- Public libraries and social media: as local and as useful as your fingers
- So you’re dependent on fines: The seven step plan to removing your addiction
- Stock management – A complete beginners guide
- Welcome emails
- Thema: Graham Bell describes Thema, the new subject classification for the global book industry
- Useful
- Users
- A little less conversation: Nick Poole from CILIP writes about the problems with public libraries and action needed
- Glossary of common library terms
- Libraries Taskforce Kathy Settle sets the records straight
- Nick Poole on what can we learn from the past to inform the future of public libraries
- Transcript of Michael Rosen’s “Our Libraries: The Next Chapter” on Radio Four
- Trends in libraries: BBC “The Library Returns” May 2012
- Websites for library users
- What do public library staff do?
- Why libraries?
- A vision for public libraries
- Further reading
- Myth busting
- Reasons for libraries: Educational
- Reasons for libraries: Equality
- Reasons for libraries: False economy
- Reasons for libraries: Internet, E-books and IT
- Reasons for libraries: Value for money
- The Amazing Grace of Public Libraries (or aromatherapy for local living)
Cookies and Thank you
Please also note that this site uses cookies and use of the site presumes an inherent acceptance of this. Thank you.
I would also like to add at this point my thanks to Shirley Burnham for her frequent emails with relevant public libraries news which I then use as a a large part of the material for this site.
Warren O'Donoghue of Rabbitdigital Design has been wonderful in designing and creating this website, maintaining it and basically being there for the one hundred and one web problems that seem to surface all the time.
-
Top Posts & Pages
- Ideas and innovations in public libraries
- Arguments against libraries, arguments for libraries
- By authority
- List of withdrawn libraries
- What are the current issues in libraries? Speak Up For Libraries Workshop: 23rd November
- Key challenges for public libraries and their solutions: library leaders speak
- Library security gates: why you should save money by not using them
- Volunteer-run libraries
- List of UK volunteer libraries
- Pros: reasons for volunteer "community libraries"


about 5 years ago
Hello,
There have been some libraries that moved premises or were refurbished in Newcastle upon Tyne as well in the last couple of years:
– Newbiggin Hall Library, moved into new community centre in July 2012 http://community.newcastle.gov.uk/libraries/2012/07/13/new-partnership-library-for-newbiggin-hall/
– Jesmond Library was refurbished in 2011 http://www.newcastle-city-council.gov.uk/press.nsf/newsbyid/86AA2A3178B78BA6802578AA004351AB?opendocument
– Blakelaw Library, refurbishment also in 2011 http://community.newcastle.gov.uk/libraries/2011/04/05/blakelaw-library-refurbishment-is-complete/
about 5 years ago
Great stuff and I especially love the links (makes my job so much easier!). I have added Newbiggin Hall as a move (it seems wrong to say it is a new library if it is on a smaller site – is it being run by volunteers as well? Article is vague) and Jesmond and Blakelaw as refurbishments.
about 5 years ago
Yes, Newbiggin Hall is a move; the library is still staffed by library assistants, but the rest of the community centre may use volunteers. Thanks!
about 5 years ago
You seemed to have missed Southend-on-Sea from the listing
http://www.theforumsouthend.co.uk/
The Forum Southend-on-Sea is a unique and exciting partnership project which will bring a brand new state-of-the-art library and learning facilities to the heart of Southend Town Centre.
When it opens in Autumn 2013, The Forum Southend-on-Sea will be a focal point for learning and reading with its joint public/ academic library and teaching spaces.
Source: Forum Southend website 27/8/12
about 5 years ago
Hi Simon. This is great but I was only going to include new builds for this year on to the site, in the same way that I only include a list of libraries to be closed this year on the other tally. I’ll add it to the general list of all changes though.
about 5 years ago
Thinking about this again, I think you’re right and I will add to the page. Cheers :-
about 5 years ago
Kent – new library opening in Edenbridge later this year
Hillingdon – South Ruislip being knocked down and rebuilt (and several other refurbishments in Hillingdon over the past year or two)
Redbridge – Ilford Central just opened after refurbishment
about 5 years ago
Also –
Bromley – Orpington library recently relocated to a new library
about 5 years ago
Stephen, that’s great. I’ve added all those to the list. I think I have already included Redbridge Central before. Derby has also been in touch to let them know of a new library there.
about 5 years ago
Hi Ian,
We have been busier in Kent than your list suggests! Could I add three – two from last year and one for this.
July 2011 – Ashford library. Brand new building (replacement)
August 2011 – Gravesend library. Brand new annex plus full restoration and e-furbishment of the original Carnegie library building (£2.5m project)
September 2012 – The Beaney Canterbury. Brand new replacement library and refurbished art galleries and museums (£14m project)
Regards,
Guy Gardener
about 5 years ago
Great stuff, Guy. Galleries, libraries and museums are often put together in Australia/New Zealand, where the sector is called “GLAM” accordingly. £14m is an impressive amount of money in anyone’s books, especially at the moment.
about 5 years ago
You could add Southsea library (Portsmouth libraries) opened July 2011 – replacement library.
See: http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Hampshire/Portsmouth/PO6/News/Local-News/202656-Best-Selling-Author-Opens-the-UKs-Newest-Library
about 5 years ago
Thanks. I’ve now added it. I love the fact that the cafe attached there has a “pick n mix” and it’s on the site as the old Woolworths.
about 5 years ago
You don’t have Stockton Central Library on your list for 2011 here in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. The 1968 purpose built library has been completely refurbished and co-located with our largest customer services facility. The new building has contact centre, library, cafe and conference facility. We also have planned a new customer contact centre and library building planned from 2013 onwards for Billingham Town Centre and will be consulting over the coming months on plans to refurbish our libraries at Norton and Yarm.
about 2 weeks ago
Your comments on Plympton Library are incorrect. Yes the library was rebuilt following a fire to the previous premises. It was however built on the same site. There was no connection at all with a Woolworth’s store and there is no cafe