Work to build Oldbury's new £6 million flagship library and office building is steaming ahead.

At a special ceremony organised by Morgan Ashurst, Sandwell Council's Cabinet Member for regeneration and transport Cllr Bob Badham fixes the final piece of steelwork together with a little guidance from Project Manager Graham Hopewell – signalling the completion of the roof.

The library will see just under 400m² of floor space dedicated not only to books, but also to cater for advice surgeries, office accommodation, meetings, training, exhibitions and events. Using mobile shelving and mobile partitions the library space will be designed to be flexible to cater not only for everyday library use but also for the other uses.


Mr Hopewell said: "We're thrilled to be working with Sandwell Council on this exciting project. Reaching the roof is always an exciting landmark as local people will now really get a feel for what the building will look like."

The building will boast a number of environmentally-friendly features. The offices and library are expected to be ready for occupation, following the council's fit out, by November 2010.

(CD/GK)