Chepstow Library was officially opened this week (29th February 2012) by the chairman of Monmouthshire County Council, Councillor Brian Hood MBE. The library underwent four months of refurbishment before opening its doors to customers in January.
The refurbished library has been designed to deliver a much improved service with increased opening hours. In addition to an extensive range of books, DVDs and talking books, the library offers improved Internet access, free wi-fi and laptops for use within the premises. The library is now open for an additional four hours on Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm.
Other features include an updated children’s area, an area especially designed for teenagers and a quieter area for family and local history research.
Work on the proposed library reading garden continues throughout the winter months ready for a launch on World Book Night – 23rd April 2012. Keen gardeners interested in joining the new Library Gardening Group or those requiring more information about the World Book Night book giveaway should contact library staff for more information.
Weekly activities at the library include First Click basic IT sessions, story times for the under-fives, baby rhyme times and family history research sessions.
Councillor Hood said: “Monmouthshire is proud of its library provision and at a time when closures are in the news it is heartening to see that we are actually enhancing services.
“Libraries are not just about books – there is something for all ages here from computers to daily newspapers and from children’s areas to e-books.”
Cabinet member for culture, Councillor Giles Howard added: “Council members and the public recognise the hard work of library and associated staff to achieve yet another superbly refurbished library.
“I would also like to thank the residents of Chepstow for creating and maintaining the need for the library. It is a pleasure that we can help perpetuate the satisfaction and fulfilment gained from a good book alongside the wonderful new offers of e-books, downloadable audio and all the other impressive services available”.
The refurbishment of Chepstow Library has been jointly funded by Monmouthshire County Council and CyMAL (Museums, Archives and Libraries Wales; a division of the Welsh Government) which is committed to creating a 21st century library network as part of the LibrariesInspire programme.
Chepstow Library is open:
Monday 9.00 – 5.30
Tuesday 10.00 – 7.00
Wednesday 9.00 – 1.00
Thursday 9.00 – 7.00
Friday 9.00 – 5.30
Saturday 9.00 – 1.00
