A THREE-YEAR programme to upgrade libraries across North Yorkshire reaches a milestone today.

Pickering Library is reopening after a £500,000 makeover.

The building has been extended and now boasts a cafe and information technology area with free Internet access.

It has £30,000 worth of new items, including books and collections of DVDs, CDs, videos and PlayStation games.

There is a dedicated area for younger children with a mural produced by local schoolchildren and a new range of books and story tapes. Comfortable seating and a CD listening post have been installed.

Visitors also have access to Ryedale District Council's housing benefit and council tax payment services and North Yorkshire County Council's births, marriages and deaths registration service.

The library reopens to the public today and is being re-launched as a community resource centre.

It is the latest centre in the county to be given a complete refurbishment.

Northallerton Library had a £450,000 overhaul last year, and centres in Colburn, Richmond, Easingwold and Stokesley have been given facelifts.

Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for community services, said the programme has been a huge success.

"The amount of customers entering libraries has increased tremendously," he said. "There has been a tremendous uptake for books and CDs.

"The work is a major priority for the authority because we do not just see them as libraries, we see them as resource centres where, in the future, members of the public will be able to have face-to-face contact with service providers from the authority.

"In other words, they will become our one-stop shops.

"The days have long gone when libraries were just full of books. For one thing, you have got to have the right sort of books that people want to read.

"The libraries themselves have computers linked to the Internet, free of charge, and there are quiet places for reading and cafe corners.

"It is about creating a warm environment for people."

A further two or three libraries will be given an upgrade during the current financial year, he said.