database
Huntingdon Library and Archives
Originally added: 19th April 2010, 11:51am
Last revised: 18th May 2010, 11:23am
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Sector:
Public
Authority and
authority type:
authority type:
Cambridgeshire, County council (England)
Address:
Princes Street
Huntingdon
Postal code:
PE29 3PA
Library email:
Country:
England
Category of library:
Medium sized town library, District/area library
Population served:
31,830
Nature of project:
New build
Size of library
(square metres):
(square metres):
1,750
Number of floors:
2
Year of completion:
2009
Architect and
architect category:
architect category:
Crampin Pring McArtney Gant (Practice)
Project consultant:
Building contractor:
Cleggs
Interior designer:
Leonore Charlton
Furniture supplier(s):
Brunzeel, Demco Interiors, ESPO, FGM, Furniture at Work, Norseman Direct, Opening the Book, Peters, Saber Office Furniture Ltd
Service and facility supplier(s):
3M, Bizstream, Cabbola, Milliken, Pickfords, Sirsidynix
Currency:
Pounds sterling
Overall cost:
4,600,000
Construction cost:
4,200,000
Fitout cost:
400,000
Funding sources:
Cambridgeshire County Council, Cleggs
External features:
Building shape, Materials, Shared building
Internal features:
Design features, Structural
Energy efficiency:
Control mechanisms, Energy conservation, Lighting, Materials used, Structural factors, Ventilation
IT provision:
Electronic information displays, Internet access, Laptop points, Public access terminals, RFID, Self service circulation, WiFi
Accessibility provision:
Parking, Access to building, Access within building, Access between floors, Signage / guiding, Critical distances, Furniture height, Equipment controls: location, Emergency features
Services:
Services to particular groups, Group study spaces, Meeting rooms, Specialist subject collections, Exhibition/display areas, Hosting of other agencies, Cafe/refreshment areas, Baby changing facilities
Subject specialisation:
Local History
Detailed description:
Location: Adjacent to town-centre shops, car parks and the
bus station, on the site of the previous Huntingdon Library building opened in 1971. Part of a re-development of several county council properties, next door to the renovated listed building which now houses the registry office and close to a new development of appartments.
External features include Cambridge brickwork, an attractive curve to the south east corner, cedar cladding and double-height windows along the front facade.
Internal emphasis on spaciousness high ceilings & tall polished concrete columns, light including a central vent to roof level from the Ground Floor and colour achieved though soft furnishings, graphic panels & signage. High proportion of
public space.
Ground Floor includes a children's library inspired by the Green Knowe stories of local author Lucy Boston, a teenage area, Quick Pick section, cafe, staff workroom and offices for the local Cromwell Museum curator and 'nextsteps' careers advice service for adults.
First Floor includes a Learning Centre, study areas and meeting / activity rooms providing flexible space for up to 60 people, staff room, the Local Studies collections and the Cromwell Collection one of the best collections on the Civil War outside academic libraries. Huntingdon Library and Huntingdonshire Archives Service are together for the first time in this building, so also on the first floor are the Archives Search Room and temperature and humidity-controlled storage facilities for manuscripts and other archive materials.
bus station, on the site of the previous Huntingdon Library building opened in 1971. Part of a re-development of several county council properties, next door to the renovated listed building which now houses the registry office and close to a new development of appartments.
External features include Cambridge brickwork, an attractive curve to the south east corner, cedar cladding and double-height windows along the front facade.
Internal emphasis on spaciousness high ceilings & tall polished concrete columns, light including a central vent to roof level from the Ground Floor and colour achieved though soft furnishings, graphic panels & signage. High proportion of
public space.
Ground Floor includes a children's library inspired by the Green Knowe stories of local author Lucy Boston, a teenage area, Quick Pick section, cafe, staff workroom and offices for the local Cromwell Museum curator and 'nextsteps' careers advice service for adults.
First Floor includes a Learning Centre, study areas and meeting / activity rooms providing flexible space for up to 60 people, staff room, the Local Studies collections and the Cromwell Collection one of the best collections on the Civil War outside academic libraries. Huntingdon Library and Huntingdonshire Archives Service are together for the first time in this building, so also on the first floor are the Archives Search Room and temperature and humidity-controlled storage facilities for manuscripts and other archive materials.
Number of seats /
study places:
study places:
107
Number of public computer
terminals:
terminals:
67
Size of stock:
40,000
Number of titles in
specific formats:
specific formats:
Awards won:
Impact studies/POEs etc:
Link to virtual tour:
Further information:
Images of Huntingdon Library and Archives
Huntingdon Library and Archives, south-east elevation
Huntingdon Library and Archives from north-east corner
Huntingdon Library and Archives front windows
Children's Library
Self-service area and entrance
Ground Floor non-fiction area, showing graphic panel
First Floor Customer Service desk
Copyright for these images rests with the library authority (unless otherwise stated) and is used with their permission. For permission to re-use these images please contact the library authority.