Dorset Council hosted a well-attended launch event to officially mark the re-opening of its Weymouth Library and Learning Centre, earlier today (Saturday 28 September).
Dorset Council Councillors, performers, partner organisations and members of the public gathered to officially launch the new centre, which has been transformed from a modest library into a modern, community hub.
A family craft and story session opened the event followed by an energetic street dance performance by Weymouth College students Harrison Burley and Paul Hodder. Ukulele player Rowan Prescott-Headley gave the audience a fabulous rendition of three of her original songs and the event was rounded off with a beautiful piano performance by former Weymouth College student, Harry Williams. A cake shaped like library books, made by one of the librarians, was cut to officially mark the re-opening.
The Dorset Council run building in Great George St, Weymouth is now home to a fantastic new library area, featuring a bespoke children’s reading area with sensory toys, as well two classrooms for adult learning and a community meeting room for hire. Citizen’s Advice and the Skills and Learning team who offer adult learning opportunities are also now based in the same building.
Dorset Council’s registry office for registering births and deaths is also temporarily housed in the new centre. The co-location is already benefiting local people, with Citizens Advice reporting a 30 per cent increase in enquiries, supporting people with advice at an early stage before they reach crisis point.
Cllr Tony Alford, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for customer and regulatory services, said:
“There are huge benefits to be gained from sharing this space with partner organisations. The improved links will provide easier access to services and the revamped library space will provide a much wider range of uses, as well as refurbished toilets and two additional accessible toilets. This is a great example of how we can redesign and join services to for the benefit of our communities.”
The library building in the town centre has been adapted to house:
- The town’s library, including free public computers and Wi-Fi, books for all ages and DVDs for hire and activities and events
- Skills and Learning – the local Adult Learning provider offering a variety of high-quality courses, learning opportunities and training for local employers
- Community Resource Team (mental health) – part of Weymouth and Portland’s Community Mental Health Team, which facilitates attendance at a range of social, vocational and educational events
- Citizens Advice – providing free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems
Daniel Cadisch, Citizens Advice, said:
“Working in partnership has allowed Citizens Advice to better serve its clients through a more accessible and joined up offer. We can now easily refer people to other agencies such as the mental health team and skills and learning
Early feedback from our clients tells us that they like the new setup and value our work in the library. They particularly highlighted that they appreciate the open plan layout and the new reception area.”
