Boosting community engagement by upgrading library spaces
Since 2019, we have been investing millions into our libraries to modernise services and create flexible, innovative and inclusive spaces. These works are revolutionising our library offer across the county, ensuring every library is fit for the future.
Within the last 12 months, we have seen engagement with libraries increase:
- Library events are up by 56% to 11,095
- Event attendees are up by 43% to 244,704
- Registered borrowers are up to 322,325. This is the highest number since 2017
These numbers demonstrate our successful delivery of the Library and Cultural Services Strategy approved by our Cabinet on 26 November 2019. This Strategy included a mini refurbishment programme and a major refurbishment programme.
These property transformation works are closely aligned with the Surrey 2030 Community Vision and the Hubs programme. This looks to deliver services in a joined-up way allowing residents to access multiple services in one location. Ultimately to support the council's ultimate ambition – that no one is left behind.
Surrey library mini-refurbishments
Mini refurbishments include:
- flexible furniture
- new display shelves
- study and workspaces
- soft furnishings
- new furniture for some of the children's libraries
Works have been completed at the following libraries: Chertsey, Farnham, Dittons, Egham, Godalming, Haslemere, Oxted, Reigate, Ashstead, Hersham, Molesey, Addlestone and Redhill temporary library. These works enable a fully flexible layout to create space for events and performances, exhibitions, partner organisations and community use.
Redhill's temporary library
Redhill's temporary library opened on 18 November 2024 in the Belfry Centre. On the first day 328 residents visited and in the first week of opening, 83 new library members joined.
The temporary library provides a large selection of books, a children's library, study and workspaces and access to public computers and a meeting room. Redhill library will return to its original site in summer 2025.
Addlestone library
Addlestone library's refurbishment includes reconfiguring the space to enable flexible shelving to be added to create a more open, dynamic space. Alongside this, new furniture throughout includes tables, chairs, children's picture book boxes and a book display unit.
Major library refurbishment
Key libraries for major refurbishment include Epsom, Redhill, Staines, Woking and Weybridge. The plans include significant changes at each location. This includes the creation of community 'Hubs' in both Staines and Weybridge.
For Epsom, Woking and Redhill libraries, the flagship facilities will include:
- Flexible meeting rooms with kitchenette
- Moveable partitions/walls to create agile workspaces
- Meeting pods to create new meeting spaces
- New furniture
- Fully flexible layout throughout with space for events and performances, exhibitions, partner organisations and community use
Woking library refurbishment work is underway and is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2024.
Epsom library refurbishment work is underway and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2025
In Redhill library's original site, refurbishment work is underway and is scheduled to be completed by summer 2025.
Staines hub will include:
- Creation of a state-of-the-art flagship modern library and cultural centre
- Relocation to the former Decathlon store located in the Elmsleigh shopping centre
- The new hub will include Citizens Advice, Voluntary Action, Spelthorne Museum and other lettable space
- Integration of Spelthorne Museum into the layout of the library
- External branding to windows and brickwork and landscaping to outside area
Weybridge hub will include:
- Extending the ground floor library space
- Improving the current spaces and facilities to better serve the building's current occupiers including Brooklands Radio. Also create a space for other partner organisations to deliver additional essential services
- External upgrade to improve the look of the building
- Reducing energy use and carbon emissions, contributing to our net zero ambitions
- A fully flexible layout throughout with space for events and performances, exhibitions, partner organisations and community use
Super Access
We are committed to encouraging as many residents as possible to use their local library. To encourage greater use, the library service is also rolling out Super Access. This extends the opening hours of libraries by enabling self-managed access, outside staffed opening hours using their library membership card.
Super Access has been successfully installed at 7 locations across the county. There are plans to install Super Access at a further 7 libraries as part of the libraries wider transformation works. Residents can use those libraries from 8am to 8pm 7 days a week, including bank holidays. To find out more, visit our Super Access webpage.
More from libraries news
- Top 10 library events this December
- Inspiring young minds to celebrate Surrey’s ancient trees
- Health and activity trackers
- Super Access extends to four locations
- Surrey Libraries introduce biodegradable eco library cards
- Our Libraries are Where It Happens!
- Free online Driving Theory Test and British Citizenship test support
