Nottinghamshire County Council's has announced a multi-million pound, ten-year Library Strategy to enhance the library provision across the county.

Council Committee Chairman Councillor John Cottee announced the strategy earlier this year, saying that libraries are the very 'heartbeat' of local communities.

The official opening of the library will be on the 15 March 2013, with service becoming operational from 16 March 2013. The project is both on time and on budget. Meanwhile, the overall site will also feature the first purpose-built youth club in West Bridgford.

Library managers hope the new library and young people’s centre will become one of the premier focal points for the community.

Michelle Dunstan, Principal Librarian, Programmes and Reader Services at the county council said: "The new West Bridgford Library aims to make a real contribution to community life in the area, providing an inspiring central focus in the community for reading, knowledge, information, culture and heritage.

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"We hope it can become a key venue for West Bridgford, providing a place where community life can flourish and helping to deliver the proven benefits libraries can bring to their communities."

Michelle referred to a number of studies by organisations within the sector which show the educational and personal development benefits of libraries to local populations.

The new library aims to bring a number of benefits to the community, including:

• an inspiring space to read and borrow a great range of books for free – nurturing a love of reading for pleasure that can have a positive impact on well-being

• access to information about community and public services – helping residents play an active part in their community

• a comprehensive local studies library – giving access to the Nottinghamshire story and nurturing pride in our local heritage

• community rooms to hire – providing spaces for community and voluntary groups to come together and flourish, and modern spaces for businesses to meet

• free access to computers, internet and wi-fi, spaces to work and study, and access to business and employment information – helping to raise aspirations, encouraging independence and helping to contribute to the local economy

• a programme of activities – including pre-school story and rhyme times that encourage early literacy and communication skills and a love of books, children's activities to encourage reading for pleasure, and adult reader events to keep the love of reading alive.

(CD/GK)