Hastings Library

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Hastings Library is located in a very interesting building. It feels like a chapel of reading. The building was refurbished in 2018. There’s some excellent images on the architect’s website where they describe it as a “Grade II listed, Italianate gothic revival style building constructed in 1878 and donated to the town by Lord Brassey.” 

The library is on four floors and I expect making the building accessible to all has been a challenge, but each floor has its own character and feel. The large ceilings and windows contribute to the chapel feel and bring in lots of light even on a December day. 

There are modern desks, computer stations and study booths dotted around the building. I couldn’t take a picture of the children’s library as there were children present, but the reading nooks built into the room divider looks comfy and imaginative. There were staff on most floors who engaged with us and offered to help and modern self-service kiosks. There was also an extensive local history section (1066 and all that).

Newcastle-under-Lyme

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I was in Newcastle-under-Lyme so decided to visit, even though I’ve already visited a library for Staffordshire – Stafford in 2018. Just like the Stoke library, I also had trouble finding this library as Google took me to this building:

However, I soon realised that I could see bookcases through the windows of the civic centre down the road. Castle House, which opened in 2018, is nestled in the lovely Queens Gardens which means most of the desks in the library have a decent view. The library shares the main space with the councils’ (Borough and County) customer service desks. Although I think this is a sensible use of space, I can see it causes confusion as libraries are generally open longer hours than Council departments and that confuses the user. Plus the role and skillset for library staff and Council workers is slightly different.

Newcastle is celebrating its 850th anniversary so there were lots of displays and bunting to mark this occasion, but also a nice display on autumn. There was a decent amount of book stock and chairs and (very comfortable) sofas but the place felt a little squished. I can imagine when people are waiting to speak to the Council staff it must get very busy and possibly noisy with the activity.

I couldn’t take pictures in the kids area as there several kids there and one having a tantrum, but there is a nice picture on this news report. It was a very open area with a ground and first floor with staff on both floors. However, the lift was out of order. There was a prime vacant area upstairs which was the money advice service – it will be interesting to see which body takes up the space. Would make a nice gallery because of the light in that front area of the building. There were also loos, a jigsaw and a 3D printer. Most of the computers and lots of the desks were in use by 11am on this Saturday.

Stoke City Central Library

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***100th library visited so far***

A new library had opened in Stoke a few days before I visited. This meant I had trouble finding the new building! Although the website, and the door on the old building, told me the address was 2 Smithfield, it was rather hard to work out which building was number 2. I had to ring the library and the nice librarian directed us round the corner. Another family was also standing outside and they followed us to the new library.

The new building was very welcoming and friendly. It had a very warm feel – possibly the heating was on – but also the wood furniture and the burnt orange colour scheme were well chosen.

There was plenty of staff and two desks, one on the ground floor and one on the mezzanine. The loos were nice although a code was needed to get in and you had to press a button to exit – possibly unnecessarily complicated. The stock and chairs and desks were dotted around the library maximising space and privacy. There were plenty of people in for a Friday afternoon, even though it was 1 hour before closing time.

There is a reading step area. The children’s library had hidey holes in the wall to read in.

The lights are very arty – I really liked them.

Uxbridge Library

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My first visit to another library for two years!

As I was in Windsor for a talk, I managed a visit to Uxbridge Library which, for the purposes of this blog, is representing the libraries for the London Borough of Hillingdon. The library is nestled amongst the shops – I initially walked past.

Large children’s library with an impressive tree structure which has lights hanging down giving the impression of hanging fruit.

Uxbridge Library is a large library on five floors. As well as the large entrance area and children’s library, the ground floor has a wide open space where events can be held. There were some Remembrance Day exhibitions in place but parents and babies were appearing for the regular Tiny Tales (rhymetime and storytime combined for the under 5s), which was nice to see.

The building is quite modern with an atrium letting in light in the middle. There are several computer areas, a lift and toilets. Levels 2 and 3 have fiction, whilst 4 and 5 have non-fiction. A guide is pasted onto the pillars making it easy to find your way around. Everything looked in good condition,e.g. the carpet and bookcases. There were further banners, display cases and exhibitions on other floors.

I have not seen “Playaways” before. I get the impression they are little devices with one audio book loaded so you borrow the entire device. I quite like the idea but, obviously because of my age, it just makes me think of walkmans.

Stratford Library

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For London’s Newham Council I visited Stratford Library. Even though it was spring the twinkly lights were still in place – now I’m writing this in December they look more appropriate.

The library has very good opening hours being open until 8pm – even on Saturdays – and is open 1-5pm on Sundays too. There’s an extensive list of clubs and events held at the library listed on the website and a pleasant meeting room that can be hired by the community and booked online.

It is not surprising that in 2018 the local community voted Newham Council Libraries as some of the best libraries in the country largely due to their work engaging with local people.

The inside of library seemed quite well kept and modern with the grey carpet and white wooden bookcases on wheels and then some splashes of colour on the occasional wall.

Some nice banner displays of local women produced in conjunction with University College London. Also banners encouraging people to take tango lessons in the library.

I really liked this permanent illustrated map of the area on a curved wall near the exit.

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Bournemouth Library

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Whilst at a conference in Bournemouth (June 2019) I had the opportunity to visit the library there.

It is a large building however, the upside down pink house that was outside really draws the attention! Apparently you could go in and take your picture in the upside house (for a fee).

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The library shares the building with some other council services and shop units so the library is mainly on the first floor. Inside it is a large building with a lovely feeling of space even though it was full of books and people. The walls and carpet are very blue, the bookcases are wooden and on wheels.

There were pockets of study spaces and readers at the desks along the walls by the windows.

There was a vast music section with a dedicated music enquiry desk. There was a quiet zone, meeting suite, sitting area and local and family history sections. Interestingly there was a wall of trees – which I presume were fake – and must be there to softly divide up an area.

There were cases dotted around displaying collections, such as this crockery one, and a small D-Day exhibition.

Generally a very nice atmosphere and welcoming library.

Exeter Library

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The outside approach to Exeter Library, one of Devon’s largest libraries, is lovely. It is a 1960s buildings that was refurbished between 2013 and 2014 at a cost of £4 million. Now you enter into a welcoming cafe area. The colour scheme is quite grey, white and turquoise.

The library building was on three floors but most of the library activity was on the ground floor.  There were lots of staff around.

There was an interesting listening booth in the left photo that my daughters tried out. Lovely view from the seating area on the right.

Bustling children’s library. They run FabLab Maker Spaces, Bounce and Rhymes and story clubs,  they have code clubs, raspberry jams, and computer clubs and gadget days for people who need help with their devices.

There were little exhibition cabinets dotted around. I loved the old dummy waiter style book lift still on display – no idea if it still in use. There was also a Business and Information Skills and IP Centre.

The opening hours are good, open until 6pm or 7pm on weekdays and even open four hours on a Sunday.

Barking Learning Centre

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The Barking Learning Centre (or BLC) is packed full of facilities, including a cafe, nursery, citizens advice, digilab and much more. The library feels very new and colourful although most of my pictures feature lime green….

There were a couple of meeting pods dotted around which I think are a very sensible use of space.

Interesting reading chair…

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The children’s library was decorated nicely. I like the red reading chair which reminds me of a cosy cubby-hole and the tree book displays are ingenious.

This is the first time I’ve seen a spa based in a library but it fits with the relaxation and leisure theme of libraries, reading and mental health.

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The opening hours of the centre are extensive as it is open every day and until 9:30pm on Mon-Wed.

Barking and Dagenham Library Services have produced a video showing all the facilities available at the centre.

Truro Community Library

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Truro is one of the largest libraries in Cornwall (I know because I tweeted to ask and got a very prompt and jolly reply).

The Library is in a lovely old building in a town centre location. There was a band playing outside on a sunny Saturday during April.

It felt like a big house arranged in rooms.

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Love the terrazzo flooring in the corridor.

The children’s library is in one of the rooms and is called a Junior Library.

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