Stornoway Library will be closed from Tuesday (6 October) for a week to allow for major changes including the creation of a new Children’s Library upstairs.
The library will be closed until Tuesday 13 October to allow staff to complete setting up the Stornoway Children’s Library and undertake a major reorganisation of the main library.
The new Children’s Library forms an important part of the wider Bairns’ Hoose project and has been made possible through funding from the Scottish Government.
The space has been carefully designed to provide a welcoming, inspiring and family-friendly environment that supports children and families from the earliest years onwards.
Stornoway Children’s Library will offer a dedicated space for children’s activities and the relocation of the children’s books will free up more space downstairs and help the library display their collection in new ways.
More prominence will be given to the local history and the Gaelic collections.
Finlay MacLennan, senior librarian, said the library would look different after its refresh and described the children’s space as “wonderful”.
The design has been led by a company renowned for library design across Europe. And although details will be under wraps until the official opening, Finlay said the library was “very fortunate to have had their input”.
All in all, he said, this was “very exciting change”.
When the public return, they will find the Children’s Library relocated to the second floor with space created on the ground floor which has allowed the expansion of the Local and Family History area. This will bring together collections and resources in a more accessible and welcoming area.
This space will eventually include two microfilm scanners for access to newspapers and census records, as well as a Bookeye digital scanner which will be available for community use, helping people explore, preserve and share local history and family heritage materials.
The changes will also allow the library to expand and better showcase its extensive Gaelic collections, while creating additional seating and flexible spaces for reading, studying, working and meeting.
Library staff recognise that the closure will be inconvenient for regular users and apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused to borrowers.
During the closure the book return at the front door will be available, and the virtual library is always open. Library members can continue to borrow eBooks and Audiobooks, read digital newspapers and magazines, and access a range of online resources from home.
Anyone who has not visited the library for some time is encouraged to come along after reopening to see the transformation for themselves. New members are always welcome, and library membership is free.
Libraries play a vital role in supporting early years development and literacy, as well as supporting family learning and wellbeing. The new Children's Library will strengthen that role by creating a dedicated environment where children and families can read, play, learn and spend time together.
The library will reopen on Tuesday 13 October and staff look forward to welcoming the community back to explore the new Children's Library and the enhanced facilities throughout the building.
