Major Improvements for Newbury Library

Newbury Library is to benefit from a major refit and new state of the art self service kiosks which will enable customers to return their books electronically with the installation of fast self service units using Radio Frequency ID (RFID) technology.

Library users will have already seen staff working on the stock for some months to insert the RFID tags into every item to allow the self service units to operate quickly, reading a number of items at a time without having to open each book.

Many libraries across the country are now using this technology which is proving popular with library users of all ages. Library staff will be on hand to assist users with the self service units but experience elsewhere shows that users quickly learn to use them and that they significantly reduce waiting times.

The library, which has been open for nearly 9 years, will be transformed with a new layout of shelving incorporating more quiet study areas, a quick choice area conveniently placed for people in a hurry, a young person's area, an improved children's library and purpose built desks for public computers. The work on the layout is being funded by income from local developments using money known as Section 106 which is paid by developers of housing or commercial buildings towards the cost of improving local services.

To allow the improvements to take place the Library will need to be closed for two weeks from 2nd March. However, customers will not need to be without reading matter or their favourite films during the closure as they can increase the number of items they borrow, and can use any other West Berkshire Library.

Wash Common Library will also be open for extended hours during these two weeks and the Community Learning and Information Vehicle (CLIVe) will be available for access to PCs. For further information on where CLIVe will be, see contact details andn related pages on right.

Pamela Bale, West Berkshire's Executive Councillor for Culture and Leisure said, "These changes to Newbury Library are an exciting development which will give the library a fresh new look and improve the customer experience which I am sure that all library users will appreciate. I am also pleased that customers of Newbury Library are able to benefit from contributions made as a result of developments in Newbury and particularly the Parkway Development."

Issued on 17 February 2009 by West Berkshire Council.