RESIDENTS in Moredon and Rodbourne Cheney are celebrating the start of a new chapter in their library’s history.

The library, in Church Walk North, has been closed for the last three weeks for major refurbishment work but yesterday threw its doors open to the public once again.

The revamp, which was carried out by Swindon Council, has created extra space and made the building brighter and lighter.

The work also included the installation of two self-service machines, a payment kiosk and smaller counter.

Swindon mayor Rex Barnett officially opened the new look building, which dates back to 1973, and told the small crowd how the library had been part of his life since childhood.

“I remember Moredon Library when it was in a little chapel in The Street, in Moredon. I lived within 100 yards of it when I was a tot,” said Coun Barnett.

“I’d like so say a a great big thank you to the team in getting these premises back to a wonderful building with extra computers and the builders for being on schedule and I’d like to thank all the friends of the library.

“This is lighter and brighter and for the people of the Moredon community to enjoy.”

And the refurbished library was given the thumbs up from library manager Gilli Brookes-Palmer who said the library would retain its five full and part-time staff.

“It is the first major new look the library has had and it has brought it into the 21st century and we are delighted,” she said. The community here is so established and the customers are super.”

Mum and library-user Michelle Hutton, 34, said: “It’s a lot bigger and has a couple more computers.

“I come here two or three times a week on my own to use the computers and after school with my children.”

Coun Jenny Millin (Lab, Moredon) said the library was an important community facility and must be protected.

“I’m fighting for libraries at a time of cutbacks when all the services are being looked at,” she said.

“I think the library service is fundamental to the people of Moredon as a high proportion of the population are elderly residents. This is a service we must protect at all costs.”

The library is open 10am until 8pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10am until 5pm on Tuesdays and Fridays and 10am until 1pm on Saturdays.

Call 01793 464490 or email moredon.library@swindon.gov.uk