Bungay Community Library has recently secured Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from East Suffolk Council. This means that Suffolk Libraries and the Friends of Bungay Community Library are pleased to announce that exciting plans to replace and improve the entrance area at the library can now go ahead.
The plans for the library involve providing a larger and more welcoming entrance area at the library.
In addition to the CIL funding, The Friends of Bungay Library are contributing at least £10,000 towards the cost of the work and are grateful to several other local charities who have contributed. The project is also receiving funds from Suffolk County Council.
Christine Douglas, the Chair of the Friends of Bungay Library, said:
“This project has been planned for some time so we are delighted to be able to progress now we have secured the funding we need. We’re very grateful to everyone who has provided funding.
“What is planned will hugely benefit everyone in the community, particularly disabled people and families with buggies as the library will be more accessible. It will help us to maximise the space in the library itself and enable us to do so much more for our customers.”
Amanda King, Executive Library Manager and Manager of Bungay Community Library, added:
“The plans are very exciting. The new space will provide additional space for even more community activities and events and we’ll be able to display more information to help people with their health and wellbeing. This is going to help us provide an even better and more accessible service for local residents.”
The project is currently at the point of going out to tender to secure the builders to do the work and it is hoped the work will be taking place in the spring of 2024.
Earlier this year local people were consulted on the plans which include a larger foyer area with automatic doors to provide better access for older or disabled customers and those with prams or buggies. Sheltered canopy areas will also provide ‘parking’ for prams and buggies, freeing up space inside the library.
The new foyer plans include a storage facility for chairs, folding tables and other equipment making it easier to set up the main library space for meetings and activities. This will enable the library to host more events in future.
The new foyer will also offer a better view to the library garden which is an accessible and attractive green space for everyone to enjoy. The plans will also make the library more energy efficient.
