Lees Library Community Hub has now opened, with refurbished and extended facilities, thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Community Libraries programme.
After securing the £537,000 grant, Oldham Council worked closely with library users, community groups and voluntary organisations to create a flexible community space relevant to a wide range of visitors.
The library contains a meeting room, improved learning and computer facilities and public toilets, plus an improved children’s area and self-service machines for borrowing and returning books.
The improvements will mean that from September the library will host a range of lifelong learning classes for adults and a dedicated after-school homework centre, run with the help of young volunteers, will run from the start of the next school year.
There are also a range of regular activities including health walks, coffee afternoons, under-fives sessions and a knitting group – a reading group and a writing group are due to be launched as well.
In total 58 libraries across England will receive a share of £80m, as part of the Community Libraries programme, thanks to a joint partnership between the Fund and the MLA.
Cllr John McCann Oldham Council’s cabinet member for Community Services and Housing said: “The library will be a great community asset. The Hub project has shown our commitment to working with local communities to improve services.”
July 2009