***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.