New library now open!
Monday August 31, 2009
Cllr Paul Bristow at the new Shepherds Bush library
Read about the exciting Library Family Fun Day!»
The brand new £2 million Shepherds Bush Library at Westfield Shopping Centre is now open!
Customers are already flocking to the state-of-the-art two-floor library which houses over 10,000 brand new fiction and non fiction books, over 1000 new DVDs , 600 CDs and 25 computers for public use.
The building will be officially opened by the Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr Alex Karmel, on Monday September 14 and a huge family fun day will take place for everyone on Saturday, September 19. The family fun day will be followed by a week of activities for people of all ages.
Cllr Paul Bristow, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “The new library is one of the most innovative of its kind in the country, providing cutting-edge services to an area with one of the highest footfalls in the capital.
“The building will be a real surprise for people who don’t usually visit our libraries. Make sure that you pop in next time you are doing your shopping at Westfield. I am sure you will be impressed with what you see.
One of the most innovative aspects of the new library is the ‘Work Zone’ facility which sees Ealing Hammersmith & West London College and Job Centre Plus join with the council to provide a dedicated recruitment and retention service for retailers and employers to fill their jobs locally. Borough residents will be able to benefit from work specific training such as food hygiene certification which is needed to work in many of the restaurants and employability skills including job interview techniques. There's also financial help with initial childcare costs for unemployed residents who secure Westfield jobs and a planned young persons' Westfield work experience service.
The new Shepherds Bush Library also features:
- More study space with Wi-Fi connection and more public access PCs
- Friendly, floor walking staff to help customers find what they need
- New teenage area with computer games, music mixing software and chill-out space
- Self service for borrowing and returning books
- Lots of new books, CDs and DVDs to browse and borrow
- Dedicated spaces for quiet reading and for children's activities
- Meeting and exhibition spaces
Cllr Bristow added: “Not only is this the one of the most pioneering libraries in the country but residents will also be thrilled to know that it has been delivered at no cost to local taxpayers. The library and Work Zone have been built and fitted out by Westfield Ltd at a cost of over £2million, as part of the detailed negotiations for community benefits when planning consent for the shopping centre was granted. This building will be the jewel in the crown for libraries in London and we cannot wait until we open the doors for the first time.”
The Family Fun day on Saturday, September 19 will take place from 11am to 4pm and will include stilt-walkers, Punch and Judy, local authors and poets and expert advice for children on how to look after your dragon.
