First pictures of Greater Manchester library which reopens today after £4.4M facelift

A £4.4m refurbishment of Bolton’s central library has left the building in shape for generations to come. The transformed building, reopens today (Friday, January 19) after being closed for 12 months as work progressed.

The refurbishment includes a café in the entrance area, and expanded and upgraded children’s area, improved social spaces, updated digital facilities and the addition of a mezzanine floor. A temporary library at the former New Look unit in Crompton Place was used as an interim library space during the closure.

Bolton Council said the designs of the new library focussed on customers’ priorities including digital facilities, education and employment information, cultural and creative activities and health. The cash for the project came after a successful bid to the Government’s Towns Fund scheme.

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Other projects also supported by that grant include a new food hall extension to Bolton Market, the creation of Elizabeth Park, major improvements to Ashburner Street and the ongoing conversion of the Wellsprings office building into a innovation hub for start-up businesses.

The council said book borrowing and promoting reading remains a core priority of the library, however the refurbishment will help to change how communities use libraries, such as taking part in creative activities, accessing the internet and using digital equipment.

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The new mezzanine floors and either side of the main area will provide a welcoming space for a variety of community and wellbeing groups to use and for different groups who visit the building. Areas will also be dedicated to studying and using information