The new Cambridge Central Library opened its doors to the public today as a soft trial for their official opening on Tuesday 29th September. The library is on three floors – the first, second and third floors of the Grand Arcade. After around two years of closure, visitors were pleased to find a bright and well furnished space, well stocked with books and other materials in an interesting layout.
In addition to loan books and a reference collection, the library houses the Cambridgeshire Collection (the local studies library) a children’s library, learning centre, cafe, meeting rooms, numerous terminals with internet access and the BFI Mediatheque. The Mediatheque is bound to be a popular offering. It is a room with a number of comfortable multi-seat booths where you can view free of charge a huge collection of film and television material from the British Film Institute’s National Archive. The collection has some real treasures with footage from Cambridge’s past.
Below are a few pictures to give a flavour of the new Library. There is much more on the Library’s own site
We spoke to Chris Jakes the Librarian in charge of the Cambridgeshire Collection. They are still unpacking some of their materials after moving back to central Cambridge from their temporary home at Milton Road Library. They are open to bookings for organised visits to the collection by local groups, with talks on local materials. Anyone who organises programs for local groups might like to arrange a visit before their diary fills over the next few weeks.
The adult fiction area
Non-fiction too
Work areas
Dry Drayton books here - Cambridgeshire Collection Store
Chris Jakes - Cambridgeshire Collection store with material awaiting unpacking
