featured libraries
The Sir Michael Cobham Library, Bournemouth University
Winner of the SCONUL Library Design Award 2007, The Sir Michael Cobham Library building has an energy saving design with a natural ventilation system. The exterior is floodlit at night with a fibreoptic sculpture at the pinnacle. Whilst the interior houses 4.5 kilometres of shelving, a special collections room, wireless networking and 'blue'network points for access to e-resources from personal laptops. In addition there are 6 study rooms, over 250 computers, social learning zones an IT Service Desk,a postgraduate study area and zones for silent study.
The building was completed in 2003 and further ground floor enhancements were undertaken in 2008 to provide greater variety of social learning spaces with 51 seats for social learning, 6 techno booths and digital signage.
Posted 29 Jan 2009
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Cheltenham Library
The Grade II listed Cheltenham Library was refurbished to create a modern, bright interior.
Improvements include RFID & self service reservations, an enhanced and expanded young people's area, and better access to lifts & toilets for disabled customers.
Posted 08 Dec 2008
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Wath upon Dearne Community Library
Refurbished in 2007, the new children's library has a Castle central feature, a
listening Tower, dragon kinder boxes and magical, enchanted forest decoration.
Posted 14 Jul 2008
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Johnston Central Library
Winner of two accessibility awards - the N.D.A. Excellence through Accessibility Award and the o2 Environmental Accessibility Award.
Posted 04 Feb 2008
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Prestonpans Library
Winner of the 'Architecture Meets Practicality' PLBA 2007 this small library has a special "Place" in its new extension for teenagers.
Posted 07 Jan 2008
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Cudworth Centre of Excellence
Opened last year, it was designed & oriented to suit the constraints of the site & to allow use of natural light & reduce solar gain.
Posted 01 Oct 2007
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Newcastle City Library
This new 6 floor library is funded by Newcastle City Council and the DCMS and is due to open in 2009.
Posted 23 Aug 2007
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Coalville Library
Refurbished in 2005, Coalville Library has a special children's PC station.
Posted 23 Jul 2007
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Killay Library
This new traditional brick library, built to replace one which burned down, is fully DDA compliant with a bright and contemporary look.
Posted 17 May 2007
Leek Library
Situated in a GradeII* listed building the refurbished library also includes an Art Gallery and a Learn Direct centre as well as a bridge link with the District Council.
Posted 05 Apr 2007
Burton-on-Trent Library
Re-furbished as part of Staffordshire's 'Library Vision' - the new look library now even has a riverside terrace with space for cafe tables.
Posted 22 Feb 2007
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Ashford and Camberley Libraries
Recently updated with new images from their 2006 refurbishments, carried out as part of the Surrey Libraries investment programme: Ashford & Camberley.
Posted 15 Jan 2007
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Blythe Bridge Library
A shared building providing a public Library, Youth Centre and Library facilities for Blythe Bridge High School
Posted 04 Dec 2006
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Bonnybridge Library
Built to replace a building that was non-DDA compliant
Posted 09 Nov 2006
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Beeston Library
Underwent a major refurbishment to improve access and create a modern attractive library.
Posted 25 Sep 2006
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Otley Library
A new build library and tourist information centre on a site of special archaeological interest in a conservation area.
Posted 31 Aug 2006
Knowle Library
A converted library in a refurbished shopping centre, with teen, audiovisual & coffee areas.
Posted 11 Aug 2006
Nottingham Central Library
The ground floor of this central library was refurbished earlier this year in conjunction with the installation of RFiD.
Posted 17 Jul 2006
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North Lincolnshire Central Library
This library had a makeover, both inside and out, in 2005 - including its name.
Posted 14 Jun 2006
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Bristol Central Library
Refurbished original 1906 Grade I listed building, now with full disabled access.
Posted 25 May 2006
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Bromyard Centre
New extension to existing leisure centre - incorporating relocated library, onestop shop, tourist information centre & youth club.
Posted 04 May 2006
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North City Library
A thoroughly green and modern Manchester library.
Posted 20 Apr 2006
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Castle Vale Community and College Library
An imaginatively designed community library that is also managing the direct provision of a college library service.
Posted 10 Apr 2006
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Blackfen Library
Converted in 2005 Blackfen Library has a Council Contact Point and Read & Relax refreshment area.
Posted 09 Mar 2006
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Bexleyheath Central Library
Converted in 2005, this is Bexley Council's well-resourced flagship library.
Posted 16 Feb 2006
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National Library of Estonia
The eight-storey 'book temple' is the largest library in the Baltic states.
Posted 26 Jan 2006
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Widnes Library
A district library refurbished in 2004 by Opening the Book and JDS. Record recently updated with new images.
Posted 09 Jan 2006
Cootehill Library & Arts Centre
A new building with purpose built furniture, and a high emphasis on accessibility.
Posted 20 Dec 2005
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Blanchardstown Public Library
A large public library, built as part of a civic complex and Arts Centre, with seamless facilities for the disabled.
Posted 29 Nov 2005
Blanchardstown Public Library">Permalink to 'Blanchardstown Public Library'
Swiss Cottage Central Library
A Central Library refurbishment. Take a virtual 'online tour' of the building, with 360 views. (Added 12.10.05)
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Posted 16 Nov 2005
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Alvaston Library
A neighbourhood library in the main shopping area, converted from a former electrical goods store. (Added 09.11.05)
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Posted 16 Nov 2005
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Horsley Library
A conversion of two small shops, this small community library uses key retail approaches to layout and design.
Posted 15 Nov 2005
Horsley Library">Permalink to 'Horsley Library'
Alvaston Library
A neighbourhood library in the main shopping area, converted from a former electrical goods store. (Added 09.11.05)
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Posted 10 Nov 2005
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Oystermouth Library
A refurbished district library, with good accessibility and some interesting 'before and after' photographs. (Added 26.10.05)
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Posted 01 Nov 2005
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Swiss Cottage Central Library
A Central Library refurbishment. Take a virtual 'online tour' of the building, with 360 views. (Added 12.10.05)
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Posted 24 Oct 2005
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Blakenall Library
Sited in a new £7.3M multi-purpose building and designed to attract local non-regular library users (Added 10.10.05)
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Posted 18 Oct 2005
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Jubilee Library
A PFI funded new library, that has generated a lot of press coverage for its innovative design (Added 08.10.05)
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Posted 13 Oct 2005
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Horsley Library
A conversion of two small shops, this small community library uses key retail approaches to layout and design. (Added 05.10.05)
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Posted 13 Oct 2005
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Whangaparaoa Library and Service Centre
Designing Libraries' first international library, Whangaparaoa in New Zealand is "A building which will inspire strong community ownership and provide a civic heart for the local retail centre..." (Added 04.10.05)
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Posted 10 Oct 2005
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Ash Library
A refurbished 1964 community library building with a new "bookshop" style layout. (Added 04.10.05)
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Posted 10 Oct 2005
Lewes Library
The new Lewes Library is now open to the public, with the official opening in October. (Added 03.10.05)
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Posted 04 Oct 2005
Gorbals Library and Real Learning Centre
Designed to attract people unlikely to consider entering a traditional library. Shortlisted for the Public Library Building Awards & eligible for the Delegates Choice (see news below). (Added 27.09.05)
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Posted 29 Sep 2005
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ExploreMusic
A new state of the art music information and library service, shortlisted for the Public Library Building Awards & eligible for the Delegates Choice (see news below). (Added 14.09.05)
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Posted 15 Sep 2005
Tubbercurry Civic Offices and Library
A new community library shortlisted for the Public Library Building Awards & eligible for the Delegates Choice (see news below). (Added 12.09.05)
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Posted 15 Sep 2005
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Grays Library, Thameside Centre
A new central library refurbished this year, with local history museum and theatre in the same building. (Added 14.09.05)
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Posted 15 Sep 2005
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Dartmouth Library & Learning Centre
A new shared community building in, sympathetically designed to fit conservation area. (Added 06.09.05)
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Posted 15 Sep 2005
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Ballymena Central Library
A new central library completed last year. Longlisted for the Public Library Building Awards & eligible for the Delegates Choice (see news below). (Added 08.09.05)
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Posted 12 Sep 2005
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Tamworth Library
A refurbishment completed last year. Check the 'before and after' images. (Added 01.09.05)
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Posted 08 Sep 2005
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Cambourne Library
Opened last year, this new small community library building is elegible for the Delegates Choice of the Public Library Building Awards. (Added 31.08.05)
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Posted 05 Sep 2005
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Batley Library
The Batley Library extension was completed this year, with great attention to accessibility provision. (Added 26.08.05)
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Posted 30 Aug 2005
East Sheen library
The East Sheen Library refurbishment was built around a New Way of Working concept. (Added 10.08.05)
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Posted 22 Aug 2005
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Roscommon County Library
Now the flagship library of Roscommon County Council, originally built in 1783 as an infirmary. (Added 11.08.05)
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Posted 22 Aug 2005
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Buncrana Community Library
Originally a Presbyterian Church, now refurbished and extended, Buncrana was a winner in the Public Library Building Awards 2001. (Added 09.08.05)
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Posted 15 Aug 2005
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Macroom Library
A former cinema building originally constructed in the 1950s, Macroom was a runner-up in the Public Library Building Awards 2001. (Added 09.08.05)
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Posted 15 Aug 2005
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South Shields Central Library
A 1970s purpose built library now refurbished following a bookshop approach (Added 04.08.05)
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Posted 08 Aug 2005
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Cabra Library & Bibliographic Centre
A multi-functional building, incorporating the library and the headquarters of the major library services for the area. (Added 04.08.05)
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Posted 08 Aug 2005
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West Kilbride Library
A small new-build community library designed to appear as three different 'units' of a terrace to blend in with streetscape. (Added 21.07.05)
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Posted 26 Jul 2005
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Sunderland Library
A Central library converted into a major cultural venue (Added 19.07.05)
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Posted 26 Jul 2005
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Stowmarket Library
A 1980's building with lighting and ventilation problems successfully refurbished this year. (Added 13.07.05)
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Posted 14 Jul 2005
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Wickham Market Resource Centre
Originally two detached bungalows, now one building with the library in one half and Wickham Market Partnership in the other. (Added 11.07.05)
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Posted 14 Jul 2005
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Bicester Library
An old-fashioned 60s library refurbished and extended. (Added 30.06.05)
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Posted 05 Jul 2005
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Widnes Library
A district library refurbished in 2004. (Added 30.06.05)
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Posted 05 Jul 2005
Kirkby Library
A town library refurbished in 1998 with a state of the art glass entrance
(Added 23.06.05)
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Posted 28 Jun 2005
Shirley Library and Housing Office
A district library housed in a 1969 building that was extended and refurbished this year - images of the interior have now added to the record. (28.06.05)
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Posted 23 Jun 2005
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Page Moss Library
A small community library - not just converted, but extended and refurbished too. (Added 14.06.05)
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Posted 21 Jun 2005
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Bridport Library
A mixture of the old and new - new-build behind a restoration of the original stone facade. (Added 14.06.05)
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Posted 21 Jun 2005
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Arena Park Library
Opened this year as part of a retail park containing the largest Tesco store in the country. (Added 09.06.05)
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Posted 14 Jun 2005
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Foleshill Community Library
A Carnegie building which re-opened this year, following a major refit after a fire in 2003. (Added 13.06.05)
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Posted 14 Jun 2005
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Kidderminster Library
Built in 1997 as Worcestershire's "flagship" library. (Added 07.06.05)
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Posted 07 Jun 2005
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Portland Underhill Library
A building with many design challenges - particularly for accessibility - which were overcome with ingenuity. (Added 07.06.05)
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Posted 07 Jun 2005
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Wester Hailes Library
Built as part of a Civic Square Development, it is the first dedicated Youth Library in Edinburgh. (Added 31.05.05)
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Posted 31 May 2005
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Berwick Hills Library
Built as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment which provides everything from a superstore to fitness provision and a community centre. (Added 31.05.05)
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Posted 31 May 2005
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Upminster Library, Advice and Service Centre
The newly refurbished Library, Advice and Service Centre was re-opened in January 2005 after modernisation and with enhanced services and facilities.
(Added 20.05.05)
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Posted 20 May 2005
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Stratford (London Borough of Newham)
Part of a development including a hotel and a supermarket and designed to provide a dramatic, exciting and positive space.(Added 13.05.05)
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Posted 13 May 2005
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Durham Clayport Library
A new district library, built as part of the Durham Millenium City Project which won a Public Library Building Award in 2003. (Added 13.05.05)
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Posted 13 May 2005
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Long Eaton Library
A medium-sized town library, refurbished after successfully securing funding from a variety of sources. (Added 18.04.05)
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Posted 19 Apr 2005
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Bakewell Library
Another Derbyshire library, this time a new-build, that was successful in securing funding from a variety of sources. (Added 18.04.05)
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Posted 19 Apr 2005
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Blackburn Central Library
Re-opened in 2003, this record contains extensive details of the major refurbishment. (Added 05.04.05)
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Posted 05 Apr 2005
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Chatham Library
Opened this year after being converted from a derelict bowling alley - originally an 1827 Dockyard building. (Added 31.03.05)
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Posted 31 Mar 2005
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Alderley Edge Library
A small community library in Cheshire that opened it's new building in 2004 (Added 22.03.05)
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Posted 24 Mar 2005
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Tiverton Library and Learning Centre
A Devonshire library that opened its new building in 2004 and now has an active programme of events. (Added 17.03.05)
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Posted 17 Mar 2005
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Sutton Central Library
A refurbished mid-70s building with a radical internal redesign. Images are now available. (updated 15.03.05)
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Posted 10 Mar 2005
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Hendon Library
A Grade II listed building that has undergone extensive modernisation (Added 08.03.05)
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Posted 10 Mar 2005
Lowestoft Library and Record Office
A newly refurbished town library. Images are available for this record.
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Posted 03 Mar 2005
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Britwell Library
A project combining both a new building and an extension for a small community library.
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Posted 03 Mar 2005
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Datchet Library
A small community library in the process of conversion (added 28.02.05)
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Posted 02 Mar 2005
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The Campus
A small community library in a shared new building (added 25.02.05)
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Posted 02 Mar 2005