News

RE-OPENING SET FOR GUTTED LIBRARY

Plans to rebuild Ramsgate Library, badly damaged by fire last August, are well underway.

The striking façade of the 1904 Carnegie Library will be retained and the new library will have the full range of modern facilities including a gallery. There will also be a new heritage facility containing original material from the local studies collection which was rescued and restored after the fire. The library is expected to re-open in June 2007.

Kent County Council is continuing to make alternative library facilities available for Ramsgate Library customers. A mobile library has been available since the fire. In addition, library customers have been able to use the facilities at all of Kent’s libraries with the opening hours of Newington being increased. From Friday 6 May a temporary library building will operate from the Cannon Road car park adjacent to the Priory Infant School. A large number of new books, videos and other items will be available.

Gavin Wright, Area Manager, said: “I am pleased at the progress we have made so far in the project. We still have a long way to go but with the support of the steering group and the local community we will continue to meet our goals. KCC Libraries and Archives will also continue to look at ways to improve the substitute library service during the closure of Ramsgate.�