East Barnet Library has opened its doors again to residents as New Barnet Library after its move to the recently constructed New Barnet Leisure Centre.
Cllr Reuben Thompstone at New Barnet Library
The move means the library changes its name and is now situated in a new space in the leisure centre, equipped with improved computer facilities, an on-site café and increased parking.
The library, which opened in its new location on 24 September, is one of two partnership libraries in the borough to managed by the charity Inclusion Barnet.
New Barnet Library has moved a short distance from its original base in Brookhill Road to the New Barnet Leisure Centre at 1 Lawton Road, Barnet, EN4 9BS.
It has been constructed as part of the council’s multi-million-pound investment project to build a new leisure centre at Victoria Recreation Ground.
Councillor Reuben Thompstone, Chairman of the Community Leadership and Libraries Committee, said: “I’m delighted that New Barnet Library has opened its doors to residents in its new home. Inclusion Barnet will be managing the library in what is a fantastic modern space. I have absolutely no doubt it will prove hugely popular with people, especially given it is located in one of our newly constructed leisure centres. I would like to encourage residents to come along and see what’s on offer.”
Caroline Collier, CEO of Inclusion Barnet, said: “We’re delighted to accept this new challenge to deliver a library service in the heart of the New Barnet community, and we look forward to being part of this new resource. Libraries are a key part of wellbeing, so it’s great to be co-located with a leisure centre and to be opening during September – the ‘Get Active’ themed month of Barnet Libraries’ Year of Learning.”
Barnet Libraries’ packed calendar of events as part of the ‘Year of Learning’ continues over the coming months, with October themed around all things digital. From digital resources such as e-books and digital magazines available through library membership, to coding, robots and animation.
For more information on New Barnet Library’s opening times visit www.barnet.gov.uk/library-opening-times
For more on the Year of Learning, including full listings of events, visit www.barnet.gov.uk/yearoflearning