Temporary Central Library

Closed at 4pm on Saturday 27 September 2008

For more information go to:  Our Holidays and Planned closures page.

Progress on Swindon's New Central Library

Latest News - September Update

The building is now complete except for finishing off joinery and terrace paving.  Lighting, heating, plumbing and electrical services have all been tested and commissioned.

The fit-out has commenced with shelving, desking and library ICT equipment being installed during the current month.  The physical move of the books will commenced on Saturday 27 September 2008.

Externally, the paving around Commercial Road and Princes Street is being laid and will be completed soon.

Everything is on schedule for the opening to the public on Monday 20 October 2008, at 14.00.

The opening hours have now been confirmed and are:-

9.30am - 7.00pm Monday to Friday

9.30am - 4.00pm Saturday

11.00am - 3.00pm Sunday

The Express zone will open 1 hour before the library opens Monday to Saturday and 3 hours after the library shuts Monday to Saturday.

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The new Central Library Story

Work started at the Regent Circus site in January 2007, with a completion date of summer 2008. The construction contract is worth £6.8million, out of a total budget to build the library of £10million.

Willmott Dixon has a long track record of successfully completing major building projects for both the public and private sectors in the South-West, and is currently working on the new David Lloyd Leisure complex at Swindon Gateway.

The £10 million building will combine a modern, light and energy-efficient interior with a brick and stone-built exterior that complements the existing 19th century Town Hall it will be built next to.

The new Central Library will form the focal point for the regeneration of Swindon Town Centre.  The building has been designed in-house by Council architects Nic Newland and Tony Currivan.  English Heritage have been consulted, and are happy for the project to progress.

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, Lead Member for Culture, Leisure and Recreation says: “We want this building to be appreciated for many generations, which is why it will be solidly-built from red brick, with quality stonework. It is nevertheless within our budget.  It sets the standard for the rest of the town centre regeneration.”

Council Leader Roderick Bluh says: “We are absolutely delighted with this design, and we are sure the public of Swindon will be too. We wanted a building that was impressive in its own right, yet sympathetic to the existing Town Hall. This was never going to be easy, but we believe it has been achieved.”

Central Library services relocated to the Paramount building on Princes Street in June 2006.  Paramount will be the temporary home of the Central Library for two years, whilst construction work takes place at Regent Circus.  The route from the old Regent Circus site to the library's temporary home at Paramount is signposted through Theatre Square, and also from Debenham's in the Parade.  You can also follow the orange footprints on the pavement from Regent Circus to Paramount!

Although the new Central Library features three public floors, the roof height will be virtually the same as the existing Town Hall, which has been achieved by placing the staff offices and storage rooms in the roof space.  The windows have similar proportions and style to the Town Hall.

Access will be through a cylindrical ‘feature’ entrance on Regent Circus.  This structure will be the full height of the building, and will have a high-ceilinged circular reading room built into the top, with views of Regent Circus and surrounding streets.

A landscaped central courtyard between the old and new buildings will also be created, along with an outdoor first-floor terrace.  All external walls have bay windows and small window balconies that will provide window seats and seating areas for reading and study.

Among the features on each floor are:

Ground Floor – double height entrance lobby, express zone, children’s library, leisure zone, toilets and doors to the landscaped inner courtyard;

First Floor – leisure zone, teen zone, learning zone, doors to roof terrace,

Second floor – quiet zone, local studies area and circular reading room within the entrance tower;

Third floor – accommodation within the roof space, including offices, staff room and book storage rooms.

The accommodation within the existing town hall building will be improved including providing lift access to the upper floors.

If you wish to comment on the new Central Library, please email libraries@swindon.gov.uk

or write to:

Library Service, Swindon Borough Council, 4th Floor Premier House, Station Road, Swindon, SN1 1TZ