24
March
2016
|
08:59
Europe/London

Oxford City Centre’s new temporary library to open on March 29

The central library closed February 27 as part of ongoing redevelopment work.

A new, smaller, temporary library will be opened in Oxford’s Castle Quarter on Tuesday, March 29 at 9am with facilities including books, audio books and DVD’s for adults and children.

Due to the size and facilities available at the site of the temporary library, internet access, reference information, newspapers, journals and music services will not be available. However these services will still be provided at other libraries in the area. The library service’s Reference Online service and ebooks and eAudio lending services will also be available.

As ever it will be possible to renew online and through the new library app.

During the period between when the closure of the Central Library and the opening of the new temporary library, staff have been moving materials to the new location at the Castle Quarter.

Redevelopment of the whole Westgate building is the reason for the relocation – with the central library set to reopen back in its original building in October 2017.

The existing front of the current Central Library building will be replaced to become part of the new curving wall forming the south side of Bonn Square marking the entrance to the new Westgate Oxford.

Once complete, Oxford Central Library, as part of the new Westgate Oxford, will feature a new entrance foyer, refurbished and extended children’s library and new feature windows with views over Bonn Square and Castle Street.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural and Community Services, said: “A lot of work has gone in to getting the new facility in the Castle Quarter ready for use and we hope people will enjoy our new setting.
“Everybody in the library service is looking forward to making the most of their new home before we move back to our normal headquarters during 2017.”