Residents who regularly use Central Library will have access to a wide range of other hubs and services when the building closes next week.
Plans to refurbish the library in Centre Square will see new life breathed into the 110-year-old building while protecting its Grade II listed heritage.
The ground floor of Central Library will be transformed into a captivating space incorporating a family-focused library and separate adult lending space, to host events and activities promoting a lifelong love of literacy and creativity.
Central Library's original historic features will remain a key part of its offer, with planned improvements including a fully accessible passenger lift, new accessible toilets and baby-change facilities.
A new flexible event space, IT suite and family history study space will also be included.
The Reference Library's historic features will remain unchanged, with adjoining rooms reconfigured to further improve the space for users.
The upgrade is funded following a successful bid to the Government’s Cultural Development Fund, which sees more than £5m invested across the library, MIMA, Middlesbrough Railway Station and The Auxiliary, with the ambition to make Middlesbrough the most creative town in the UK
Central Library will be closed to the public from Monday, December 4 and it is estimated that improvement works will take around seven months to complete.
During the closure period, there will be no access to Reference Library services or materials, but there are a host of ways people can still access library lending services, which include:
Returning books
You can return your library books to any Middlesbrough library, and from December 4, you can drop your books off at Middlesbrough Town Hall’s Box Office on Mondays and Fridays between 10am and 3pm.
You will also be able to return your books to Mima, just behind the library, from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm and on Sundays from 12pm to 4pm.
‘Click and collect’
From January 8, 2024, you will be able to order items and pick them up at the Town Hall Box Office.
You can do this over the phone by calling 01642 249209, or by emailing books_on_wheels@middlesbrough.gov.uk. You can also reserve books directly through the libraries website.
Collection days are Monday and Friday, from 10am to 3pm.
Extra library services
From January 5, the opening hours at North Ormesby Community Hub’s library service will be extended to include Friday opening from 9am to 5pm.
Then from January 15, 2024, there will be a new small library offer at Newport Community Hub, opening from Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm.
Books, audio and magazines online
Residents can also access the e-Book and e-Audio service using a Middlesbrough library card and PIN number. You can also borrow e-Magazines.
For more information about accessing the service visit the libraries website.