South Gloucestershire Council has announced exciting plans to extend Emersons Green Library, creating additional space for visitors and new facilities for children and young people to explore and enjoy.
The council secured £200,000 of developer contributions from the nearby Lyde Green housing development to fund the improvements, with work due to start this September.
An improved layout will feature a flexible area for children with space for events and functions, along with a digital wall and floor projector so children can learn and have fun in an immersive and interactive way. A new a storytelling area, seating, tables and shelving will also be installed.
Work will take place following the school summer holidays to enable children and families to continue to use the library during the summer without disruption. Further details of the work will be published closer to the time of construction.
Last year also saw the launch of South Gloucestershire Council’s project to give every child a library card, with all children in Reception and Year 1 receiving cards and being encouraged to use them at their local library.
Councillor Rachael Hunt, cabinet member with responsibility for libraries at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I am delighted we have secured this funding to extend and update Emersons Green Library so more local people will be able to enjoy the new facilities on offer. Over the last five years membership of Emersons Green Library has increased by 15 percent with children accounting for 50 percent of all users. Encouraging children to read is essential to support literacy and can help with their health and wellbeing, so we are pleased to be able to further support that.
“Our libraries offer a safe and welcoming environment and the plans for Emersons Green Library will encourage families to build visits to the library into their normal routine as the children will want to visit to choose books and interact with the technology on offer.”
Find out more about South Gloucestershire Libraries at https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries for the latest updates.
