Worthing Library Finally Reopens After 'Exciting' Upgrade

Tuesday, 22 June 2021 06:00

By Iona Stewart-Richardson @IslandIona

Worthing Library will re-open today (Tuesday) following exciting refurbishment.

The custom-designed building will bring together West Sussex County Council Registration Services; Children and Family Services; Find it Out and Youth Emotional Support Services and an enhanced Library Service, all under one roof.

The new services offered from the fully refurbished building will provide important support for residents in Worthing, as the community continues to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Exciting new facilities will be housed in the new-look Library, making it a brand-new hub for residents in the centre of town, including:

Flexible meeting rooms hosting a wide range of services and community support groups;
An inclusive Changing Places toilet on the ground floor;
A private meeting pod, Quiet Zone, study bar and personal study desks, which will allow space for those who prefer to study in quiet, work as a group, or in private;
A suite of custom-designed Registration rooms with a dedicated, comfortable waiting area;
A specialist antenatal room for midwifery clinic appointments.

Residents can also look forward to browsing and choosing from a huge selection of brand-new books in a bright, modern and COVID-secure space.

The temporary Library at 37 Richmond Road will close at 4.30pm on Saturday 12 June 2021 so that equipment, books and other items can be moved back to the main library.

To help minimise disruption to customers during this essential closure the following arrangements will be in place:

Loan dates will be extended so no items are due for return while the temporary library is closed, and there are currently no overdue charges for outstanding items;

Customers can reserve and renew items via the West Sussex Libraries website and can also return items to any other West Sussex library;
The eLibrary is available 24/7 and provides a vast collection of eAudiobooks, eBooks, eComics, eMagazines and eNewspapers;
All West Sussex Libraries are currently offering pre-booked computer sessions;
A wide range of services are available online from home.

Russell Allen, Head of Libraries and Heritage at West Sussex County Council said:

“This project has been a long time in the making, with the pandemic causing some unexpected delays, but now that we are ready to open our doors and welcome residents inside, the timing couldn’t feel more right.

“All of the services that will share space in the new-look Library will support the community in coming back together, safely returning to the things we have missed, especially the chance to be with others; this is exactly what the library has been designed to enable.”