Refurbishment of Ealing Central Library To Start

New contractor 'booked' in for multi-million pound works

Refurbishment work to revitalise Ealing Central Library has been finally started after its closure last April.

The library was due to reopen in January 2008 but works were delayed due to 'structural problems with the building' said the Council.

Skyline Office Interiors won the contract to renovate the library with a £2.3 million tender and are said to be already on site carrying out preparatory work.

The renovations will start on Monday, November 19 and will take 20 weeks. The library will then be restocked and is expected to reopen in late spring 2008.

Councillor Nigel Sumner, Cabinet Member for Health and Community Well Being, said: “We’re delighted that a contractor has been appointed and that renovations will be underway any day. Ealing Central Library is in desperate need of modernisation to encourage a broader range of people to come and use the vital facility. The refurbishment will help us to ensure that central Ealing is provided with a relevant and accessible library service that will appeal to many more of our residents.

“The new library will be a state-of-the-art facility. It will provide library users with a welcoming indoor space with a varied range of quality contemporary and classic books, an increased number of computers for public use and a children’s library on the main floor.

”There will also be new services and areas to cater for different users’ needs, for example, a dedicated area for adult education, a silent study area where a traditional library feel will be maintained, a space where young people can read and relax, exhibition and meeting space, and a small coffee shop and public toilets to improve users’ comfort.”

November 13, 2007