Refurbishment 1994-5 and beyond
By the mid-1990s, the library needed not just redecoration
but a fundamental rethink of the way it presented its services.
The surface of the oak floor was starting to break away in splinters,
and the woodwork loomed gloomily over a rather stark and old-fashioned
interior. It was clear that the Library could no longer present
an up-to-date attractive service in its present form, particularly
to families and children, and the decision was made to undertake
a comprehensive refurbishment of the building.
Local and senior librarians had put much thought into the redesign
of the Library, and the City's Planning and Architecture Department,
and its Conservation Unit in particular, together with the Planning
Committee Chairman, Councillor Stuart Stacey, also played a strong
part in influencing the refurbishment, which was undertaken by
Fellows and Jones of Darlaston. As a result, the Library Service
was able to reopen a much improved building on 9 May 1995. The
Library is now comfortable, open, welcoming and bright, with a
particularly colourful and attractive children's area. Removal
of some surplus shelving brought about a huge improvement in visibility,
and made apparent the grandeur of the interior.
The floor has been carpeted to protect it, increase comfort,
and reduce noise levels. Most of the oak furniture has been retained
in a new study area, designed to look, with its rows of long oak
tables and oak chairs, like a traditional library space. Similarly,
the shelves for adult lending present an attractive radial design,
with a long run of shelving on the walls. An extended counter
in oak, skilfully designed in the style of the original, is the
centrepiece. Only in the Children's Library was the oak shelving
removed altogether, but oak panelling and glazed screens were
retained.
In the Community Room, very careful attention was paid to the
design of a new kitchen, storeroom, and toilets. The high dado,
doors, and skirting are copies of original designs to be found
in the building, and the new radiators installed have original
terrazzo surrounds. New chairs and some new tables were bought.
One toilet is designed for people with disabilities, and the other
is modelled as a parent and baby room.
All the oak panelling and glazed screens throughout the building
have been stained and varnished, there is new lighting throughout
the public areas, and new furniture and features have been provided
in the adult and children's areas. The building has been thought
out anew as a set of distinct spaces, with their own functions.
The study area in particular can be emptied of furniture, and
the railway models there moved aside to allow concerts and other
library events to be staged there out of hours. The refurbishment
succeeded in retaining the best of the original features, and
has given the local community an attractive, user-friendly library
flexible enough to accommodate new developments such as Information
and Communications Technology. The library now hosts a range of
advice services in the community room as well as educational and
cultural events and meetings. It is truly a comprehensive resource.
For more information on the library's services, click
here.
The Adult Library today
The Study Area today (formerly the Children's Library),
also used for concerts
The Community Room today
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