The Chorlton Library scheme, which we are looking to begin in July this year will run for 11 months. The exciting £1.5 million pound scheme will see improvements to the roof, stonework and windows and will also open up the original dome, create an additional meeting room, and will redecorate and refresh the interior of this popular library. The library will also be open for more hours each week as a result of the makeover. Whilst the library is closed for the improvements, a small temporary library offer will be available.
This cornerstone of Chorlton life is a gem that was originally funded by Scottish-American benefactor Andrew Carnegie in 1914, making it the oldest operational library in the city. Carnegie asked for the original plans of the library to be shipped to him in New York for approval. So the Council popped them onto the Titanic. You know the sad ending to that story already.
Longsight Library, one of the busiest libraries in the city, will also be benefitting from a makeover. It is hard to believe it is 13 years since we reopened Longsight after a £2.1million pound transformation, and we’ve plans to refresh the library, create a new children’s library and also create two new meeting rooms to meet the increasing demand from the local community and partner agencies. The library has also extended it’s opening hours and is open on a Friday and we’ll be looking to open even more hours each week as a result of this scheme.
More details on both schemes to follow. Watch this space!