The official opening of the modernised Rhyl Library will take place on Wednesday February 23rd from 10.00-11.00am.
The opening will be performed by Mr Alun Ffred Jones AM, Minister for Heritage in the Welsh Assembly Government. The refurbishment was funded with a £300,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Libraries for Life programme to modernise public libraries and introduce new services for customers.
Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, said: “It’s a pleasure to officially open this newly refurbished library as part of our Libraries for Life programme. I hope the new facilities will encourage more people to visit Rhyl Library and see the many services available here.
“Libraries still play a valuable role at the centre of communities across Wales, that is why we have invested in this programme to meet our One Wales commitments to develop, promote and modernise the public library network and develop the use of information technology in libraries.”
Rhyl Library, one of the busiest libraries in Wales, has been remodelled and refurbished to create a welcoming, vibrant and inspiring space. Eye-catching displays of books, relaxing areas to sit and read, the latest in computer technology, enhanced facilities for study and research, and helpful friendly staff combine to provide the best a modern library can offer.
New services include free Wifi internet access and a popular self-service counter, and there are hundreds of new books to borrow. The children’s library and young people’s area have a brand new look and feel and are proving very popular with the hundreds of local children who have already visited the library.
Councillor Pauline Dobb, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for libraries, said: “I am delighted with the new look library. Libraries are unique. They welcome everyone whatever their age or circumstances and provide so many high quality services direct to the customer. Joining the library, borrowing books and using the computers are all free of charge. New members are welcome and friendly library staff are always on hand to show people around and explain what is on offer. Denbighshire’s libraries are the second highest visited in Wales and the number of books being borrowed is also increasing.”
The library has a programme of events and activities planned to encourage people of all ages to visit and use the library. Children from local schools are coming on regular visits to the library, and some have been lucky enough to meet a visiting children’s author. A local and family history event is being planned for the summer. Older people who want to learn how to use computers are coming to BBC First Click sessions, and Coleg Llandrillo Cymru provides classes in IT, basic skills and English as a second language. In July the immensely popular national Summer Reading Challenge for children will be launched and hundreds of local children will visit their library regularly through the summer holiday.
“Recently published research Public Libraries and Literacy: Young people’s reading habits and attitudes to public libraries, and an exploration of the relationship between public library use and school attainment. Christina Clark and Lucy Hawkins, National Literacy Trust February 2011 has proved that children who use their public library regularly are twice as likely to be above average readers.” said R. Arwyn Jones, Head of Libraries and Archives in Denbighshire. “Encouraging and supporting children and young people to develop their reading and learning is one of our main priorities as a service and the new facilities in Rhyl Library will enable us to do even more. There are Bookstart rhymetimes here twice a week for the very youngest and regular class visits from schools. Many young people come in to study and to look for information – they love the new free Wifi access and the graphic novels for example.”
“We also know that the library is an important place for older people to visit, not only to borrow books, but to read newspapers, to socialise and to learn new skills such as using computers. Many people who are looking for a job use the library’s free internet access to find work, and the library is the only place people with a sight problem can borrow large print and audiobooks for free locally.”
Rhyl Library is open six days a week from 9.30am – Monday, Tuesday and Friday until 7.00pm; Tuesday and Wednesday until 5.15pm; and Saturdays until 12.30pm. The library is on Church Street behind the White Rose Centre and can also be contacted by phone on 01745 353814 or e-mail [email protected]. There is also 24-hour access to the online library for ordering and renewing books and using unique information sources at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries.
