A NEW chapter has begun for a much loved library.

The Old Town library reopened its doors today and is now a place where you can sit in a cafe drinking coffee while checking out the latest novel.

Without losing any of its intimacy, the library has moved from its Victoria Road premises to a cultural hub within the Arts Centre, in Devizes Road.

Coun Fionula Foley (Old Town and Lawn) is really excited by the £300,000 project and says her favourite area is the bright and breezy children’s zone with its three dimensional noticeboard, comfy couch and multi-coloured rug.

“It makes you want to kick off your shoes, sit on the soft rug and read,’’ she said.

The architect is Tony Currivan, who also designed the new Central library.

“We picked up the idea of reading in a cafe from Waterstones bookshop,” he said.

Tony has virtually turned the space back to front to fit the library into the space effectively.

“We brought it forward and the big thing was doing away with the corridor.”

The library boasts about 4,000 books and £3,000 has been spent on new additions, bringing paperbacks more to the fore in keeping with the cafe culture of its design.

Shaun Smith, strategic manager for libraries, said: “We decided on a new approach to library-going with this idea of coming to the arts centre to see a show, borrow a book or drink coffee. We want to make reading more widely available.”

Shaun said they have cut back on the non-fiction books except for biographies and leisure activities such as gardening and cooking.

“We want reading for pleasure, although we can order any reference book needed.”

The library, which will be open whenever the Arts Centre is open, has an automatic checkout and staff will be on duty for three hours a day.

Helen Fraser, a library assistant who worked in the Old Town library for nine years, said: “We needed this for so long, it is fresh and the atmosphere is delightful. It is a pleasure to come to work.

“We love the mix of culture, drama and books.”

For more information call 01793 466504.