The £1.75 million refurbishment of Elland’s library is nearing completion and it is due to open its doors on Monday 7 June at 10am.
Calderdale Council has been busy transforming the building into a welcoming, state-of-the-art community hub, which will provide modern library services, an IT suite, office space and a refurbished history room for The Greater Elland Historical Society.
Elland Library has had a complete revamp, with a redesigned and redecorated lower floor for the library facilities, children’s section and IT suite, plus new signage and new windows for a brighter feel. The ageing roof tiles have been repaired and many of the original slates have been reused to maintain the building’s heritage and character.
Another piece of the building’s fascinating history has been brought to the spotlight, with the restoration of an original stained glass window which has now been added to the entrance.
The building’s upper floor, which has been unoccupied for many years, has also been transformed and will provide office space for Council staff, which will support the local economy.
Some Elland residents will remember that there was formerly a dance hall upstairs. The Council had to remove the sprung floor to enable it to structurally carry the weight of the new office walls and furniture. There are plans to display the trophies that used to be awarded to Elland Gala competitors.
As part of the Council and the borough’s commitment to tackling climate change, the library is full of sustainable features, helping to improve energy efficiency and protect the environment.
As COVID-19 is still in our communities, social distancing and other COVID-safety measures will be in place, as in other venues, when Elland Library reopens. Opening hours will be slightly shorter at first to minimise the number of people in the building for safety reasons, and these will be reviewed in line with the national roadmap out of lockdown. For more information about Elland Library and its opening hours, please visit https://calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/leisure-and-culture/libraries
Visitors will be able to browse and choose their own books and use the IT suite, photocopier and study space. There will be a booking system for the children’s library at first to limit the space to one family at a time, in line with the current procedure in Calderdale’s other libraries. This is the only way to ensure social distancing in these small and cosy spaces.
Details of other similar projects in Elland and across Calderdale can be found on the Calderdale Next Chapter website: www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk
