After a nine-month wait and over £1million in refurbishing, the new Pollards Hill library will open its doors on Monday 17 August.
The new library kicks off with a “give it a go” fortnight, 17 to 28 August, jam packed with free courses to suit everyone. Whether Merton residents want to design their own t-shirts with the family, or improve their job skills in the Learn Direct IT suite, the new library caters for all.
Pollards Hill was the well-deserved recipient of a financial boost in 2008, as Merton council secured a grant of nearly £1million from the Big Lottery Fund, the largest single funding bid that has been successful in the library service’s history.
The new building is over 30% bigger allowing for three dedicated learning rooms, custom made for exciting new courses and community activities. Courses available will include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), fashion and media, beaded jewellery making, health and fitness sessions as well as fun family activities. The library will also be going live with brand new self-service technology, enabling customers to borrrow and return their stock by themselves and to pay for charges.
Cabinet member for community services Councillor Linda Scott said: “It’s fantastic to see the benefits of the Big Lottery Fund right here on our doorstep. It’s never too late to learn, and with such a variety of activities and events due to take place here, everyone can get involved.
“I know that many of the residents in Pollards Hill are excited about their new library opening and are looking forward to making it a space they can call their own. It will be a real centre point for the community and I want to encourage all locals to make sure they have a chance to visit us at Pollards Hill Library to see what’s on offer for them.”
Notes to editors:
· Merton Council secured the £1million grant from the Big Lottery Fund in November last year. The grant is part of the England-wide Big Lottery Fund £80 million investment in widening community learning opportunities through libraries.
· The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of all National Lottery good cause funding across the UK. The Fund aims to enable others to make real improvements to the lives of disadvantaged people and the wellbeing of communities, through fair and open funding of people, projects and programmes.
· The competition to name the new chill out zone is open until 28 August. Entries can be submitted to library.enquiries@merton.gov.uk