Exeter Central Library Development

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Exeter Central Library

Exeter Central Library Development

April 2012 Read our lastest Newsletter and find out how to subscribe here>> February 2012 The first phase of stakeholder engagement concluded in January. The project team has now analysed all the information from the 500+ questionnaires and the focus group sessions. In summary, people supported the ideas of: Improving the sense of arrival Improving views and creating an entrance in to Rougemont Gardens Increasing the size of the children’s library Creating a dedicated teen space Creating dedicated quiet study space Improving access within the building for people with mobility difficulties Improving heating and ventilation within the library For more information on the findings please follow this link - Community shares transformation vision for city’s flagship library Based upon these findings a design brief has been written and given to the projects architect. The architect and design team are currently working up design proposals for the library. These proposals with estimated costs will be ready for the County Councils cabinet to review and consider on 14^th March. Lastly, an additional £400,000 has been identified for the project to contribute towards sustainable energy and access improvements. December 2011 A focus group for users of the Reference Library will be held on Tuesday 10th January. This will take place in the IT Training Suite between 11:00 and 12:00. Places are limited so please book your place by leaving your name at the Reference Library help desk, by telephoning 01392 380561 or emailing lesley.salter devon.gov.uk. November 2011 (1.54MB - pdf help) More than £3.7 million is to be spent on a major facelift of Exeter Central Library. The multi-million pound investment will bring the library into the 21^st century, and secure its place at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter alongside the revamped city museum, Phoenix Arts Centre and Exeter Castle. Our vision is to modernise and improve the library so that it meets people's changing needs for learning, information and culture. The money available will be put to best use by improving accessibility, addressing elements of the 1960s fabric of the building and creating a flexible layout, which can accommodate a range of activities and services. Suggested improvements to the library include adding an entrance into Rougemont Gardens and landscaping the area to the front of the library creating a new social meeting place to create an improved sense of arrival. The improvements will provide a gateway between the High Street, Cultural Quarter and Rougemont Gardens. Click on the artists impression above for a more detailed image (pdf). Increasing the size of the children’s library and the teenage area, installing Wi-Fi throughout the building, a study area, a café and a 24 hour return facility are other suggestions that could turn Exeter Central into a flagship library that offers first-class modern information, learning and computer facilities. Changes will be made to make the library a more comfortable environment by improving the heating control throughout the building. In addition, photovoltaic solar panels will be installed on the roof as part of the project. Initial consultation results will feed into the development of a detailed design for the building. It is expected that building work could start early in 2013 with a new building open for use during 2014. ______________________________________________________________________________ Community engagement starts this month with a wide range of activities planned. Public consultation starts on Thursday 10 November: Questionnaires will be available at Exeter Central, Pinhoe, and Topsham libraries as well as online. Residents in St Thomas will also have the option to collect and return their questionnaires to the library drop off boxes at the health food store and the St Thomas branch of the Natwest bank. On street surveys will take place in the Guildhall Shopping Centre on Wednesday 23rd and Saturday 26th November, between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Also, at the new Waitrose in Heavitree Road on Friday 25th November, between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Open events will be held. Focus groups will take place with key groups in the community; including children, teenagers and families as well as people with disabilities as improving physical access to the building is an important element in the redevelopment. A range of wider stakeholder meetings are also planned including staff workshops, discussions with Exeter City Council and other cultural quarter partners.	Links Project home page About the project Contact us Get involved Photo gallery Newsletter

Exeter Central Library 2011

April 2012

Read our lastest Newsletter and find out how to subscribe here>>

February 2012

The first phase of stakeholder engagement concluded in January. The project team has now analysed all the information from the 500+ questionnaires and the focus group sessions.

In summary, people supported the ideas of:

Improving the sense of arrival
Improving views and creating an entrance in to Rougemont Gardens
Increasing the size of the children’s library
Creating a dedicated teen space
Creating dedicated quiet study space
Improving access within the building for people with mobility difficulties
Improving heating and ventilation within the library

For more information on the findings please follow this link - Community shares transformation vision for city’s flagship library

Based upon these findings a design brief has been written and given to the projects architect. The architect and design team are currently working up design proposals for the library. These proposals with estimated costs will be ready for the County Councils cabinet to review and consider on 14^th March.

Lastly, an additional £400,000 has been identified for the project to contribute towards sustainable energy and access improvements.

December 2011

A focus group for users of the Reference Library will be held on Tuesday 10th January. This will take place in the IT Training Suite between 11:00 and 12:00. Places are limited so please book your place by leaving your name at the Reference Library help desk, by telephoning 01392 380561 or emailing lesley.salter devon.gov.uk.

November 2011

image - PDF icon (1.54MB - pdf help)

More than £3.7 million is to be spent on a major facelift of Exeter Central Library. The multi-million pound investment will bring the library into the 21^st century, and secure its place at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter alongside the revamped city museum, Phoenix Arts Centre and Exeter Castle.

Our vision is to modernise and improve the library so that it meets people's changing needs for learning, information and culture.

The money available will be put to best use by improving accessibility, addressing elements of the 1960s fabric of the building and creating a flexible layout, which can accommodate a range of activities and services.

Suggested improvements to the library include adding an entrance into Rougemont Gardens and landscaping the area to the front of the library creating a new social meeting place to create an improved sense of arrival. The improvements will provide a gateway between the High Street, Cultural Quarter and Rougemont Gardens.

Click on the artists impression above for a more detailed image (pdf).

Increasing the size of the children’s library and the teenage area, installing Wi-Fi throughout the building, a study area, a café and a 24 hour return facility are other suggestions that could turn Exeter Central into a flagship library that offers first-class modern information, learning and computer facilities.

Changes will be made to make the library a more comfortable environment by improving the heating control throughout the building. In addition, photovoltaic solar panels will be installed on the roof as part of the project.

Initial consultation results will feed into the development of a detailed design for the building. It is expected that building work could start early in 2013 with a new building open for use during 2014.

______________________________________________________________________________

Community engagement starts this month with a wide range of activities planned.

Public consultation starts on Thursday 10 November:

Questionnaires will be available at Exeter Central, Pinhoe, and Topsham libraries as well as online. Residents in St Thomas will also have the option to collect and return their questionnaires to the library drop off boxes at the health food store and the St Thomas branch of the Natwest bank.
On street surveys will take place in the Guildhall Shopping Centre on Wednesday 23rd and Saturday 26th November, between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Also, at the new Waitrose in Heavitree Road on Friday 25th November, between 10.00am and 4.00pm.
Open events will be held.
Focus groups will take place with key groups in the community; including children, teenagers and families as well as people with disabilities as improving physical access to the building is an important element in the redevelopment.

A range of wider stakeholder meetings are also planned including staff workshops, discussions with Exeter City Council and other cultural quarter partners.

Links

Project home page

Devon County Council

Exeter Central Library

Exeter Central Library Development