This September (2016) the £1million library Stafford Library celebrates its first year at its new home in the heart of the county town.
Since opening one year ago, the state-of-the-art Stafford library in Tipping Street has had a whopping 170,000 visits, issued 113,000 books, and gained more than 3,000 new members.
Schools, colleges and local businesses are all benefiting from the library, which offers a flexible community space and the latest in technology along with access to over one million books, e-books and resources.
Dozens of community groups meet at the library every week. Activities include a coding club, craft workshops, music and movement sessions and reading groups..
16-year-old George Bott, from Stafford is a volunteer at the library who dedicated over 50 hours of his spare time to helping visitors this summer.
George said: “I love volunteering in the library, it’s such a cool place to be and there are so many different things to help out with.
“During the school holidays I helped out with the summer reading challenge, helping to sign people up and then issuing their medals and certificates as they completed the challenge. But I help with lots of other activities too. As well as all the books, the library is full of modern technology and I enjoy helping people with these and showing them how the different things work. Volunteering here also gives me a chance to meet other people, increase my confidence, and learn some new skills which I can put on my CV.”
The library’s Innovation Suite offers access to 3D printing, supporting people and businesses to design and develop new products and prototypes.
People can find out more about the library and the activities available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/staffordlibrary.
