£436,000 makeover boosts library membership

More than 800 people have joined the library following the refurbishment and improvement work.

East Sussex County Council confirmed this week the big increase in library members since the doors to its newly-refurbished library opened at the start of May.

The council also says that the number of books borrowed has increased by over 4,000 compared to the same period last year and that 330 local children had joined the summer reading challenge.

Cllr Bob Tidy, lead county cabinet member for community services said: "This is great news and shows that Bexhill Library is going from strength to strength.

"We knew from comments that people in Bexhill really appreciated their newly-refurbished Library. Now the statistics show us that many people have joined since we carried out the work and that thousands more books and other materials are being borrowed.

"The Bexhill Library refurbishment is just one piece of the jigsaw of library improvements across East Sussex. The county council is investing millions of pounds to provide new libraries in Hastings, Rye and Newhaven and upgrading other existing libraries such as Eastbourne Central Library."

Refurbishment and improvement works including improved access with a new entrance with automatic doors. The ground floor was completely refurbished and a toilet, baby-changing facilities and a new lift were installed.

The layout has also been greatly improved to give a welcoming, flexible and modern space. The new self-service facilities are also proving popular with customers and around half the items currently being borrowed, renewed and returned from the library are being issued by customers themselves.

Bexhill Library was also recently voted runner-Up in the Bexhill Observer Achievers Awards in the Leisure/Tourist Attraction category.

The next main event at the Library is the visit of best-selling author Victoria Hislop, who will be talking about her new novel The Return on Wednesday, September 3 at 7.30pm. Tickets are 3 and further information is available from Bexhill Library on 01424 212546.

For further information about Bexhill Library visit the county council's www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries/find/bexhill website.