A new-look Darlington Library is ready to open its doors for the first time following a multi-million pound transformation. 

The historic Grade II listed building on Crown Street will reopen on Saturday after a total of £3.7m was invested to restore its historical features, while updating and modernising its facilities. 

The library will reopen after an extensive redevelopment, which was hit by delays, and saw it closed for more than a year. 

Now, staff are ready to welcome visitors inside the building which stands as an historic symbol of Darlington’s heritage. 

The Northern Echo: The historic Grade II listed building on Crown Street will reopen on Saturday The historic Grade II listed building on Crown Street will reopen on Saturday (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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All the areas of the new library:

 

Lending Library 

Children’s Library

The Study 

The Hive 

The Centre for Local Studies 

The Reminiscence Room 

The Hoskins Room 

The Art Gallery

On a tour of the new facility before opening, library manager Suzy Hill said all visitors will receive a warm welcome when walking through the doors. “It’s been a huge responsibility but has been an immense privilege,” she added. 

The Northern Echo: The entrance at the corner of East Street leads into an ornate vestibule and the restoration has aimed to reinstate this area to near its original designThe entrance at the corner of East Street leads into an ornate vestibule and the restoration has aimed to reinstate this area to near its original design (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

The entrance at the corner of East Street leads into an ornate vestibule and the restoration has aimed to reinstate this area to near its original design, with the help of the discovery of a photograph dated 1927. Within this area both the philanthropist Edward Pease and the original architect GG Hoskins are also recognised and celebrated.

The renovation was helped by funding from Arts Council England, which awarded £225,000 for the refurbishment of three key areas – the Reminiscence Room, the Hoskins Room and The Hive – and funded improvements to the library’s digital offer. 

A further £30,000 was also secured through the LibrayOn grants programme to support improvements to support digital discoverability including improvements to the library website.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, with library manager Suzy Hill (right) at the new-look Darlington Library Cllr Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, with library manager Suzy Hill (right) at the new-look Darlington Library (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Councillor Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, said: “This marks an exciting new chapter for Darlington Library.

“Our dedicated staff, both within the library and other teams, have worked closely with contractors to ensure the sympathetic restoration of key heritage features while at the same time upgrading and modernising facilities to 21st century standards.

“The result is a majestic space with light flooding in through the glass laylights in the roof, while feature lighting has been incorporated to create a warm and inviting ambiance. The library really is so much more than just books and our staff can’t wait to welcome you into your new look library so do come along and explore.”

The new children’s library has an enchanted woodland theme and features artwork from Charlie Mackesy’s book ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’.

Inside The Hive visitors can expect an area for people to meet and collaborate, with 3D printers, sewing machines and VR headsets. The Crown Street Art Gallery offers the chance to view works from the Borough Collection as well as other local artists.

The Northern Echo: The Hive area of the new-look library The Hive area of the new-look library (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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A series of special events and activities will be held in the two weeks after the opening on Saturday, September 9.

The Mayor of Darlington, cllr Jan Cossins added: "This was a place I visited many times, especially as a child with my mother and siblings. I've been with my own children and until it closed for refurbishment, my grandchildren and I’m really excited to see the improvements and changes that have been made.

“It's amazing to think about how many generations of our Darlington families have used this library since it opened in 1885, and now, many more generations will have that same wonder and enjoyment for years to come."