November 2016
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News Recent changes at Bradley Stoke Library Bradley Stoke Library: currently undergoing redevelopment and having new technology installed
By Nikki Hallur eaders who regularly visit the local leisure centre and Bradley Stoke Library will have noticed that building works have been going on for a few months now. The main entrance has been closed off since summer, while the library has been opened from its former emergency exit point near the children’s books. The work in the leisure centre involves the making of a new adventure play area, that includes a bigger softplay, climbing room and a revamped library. The work that was expected to be finished by 10th October was delayed slightly, but now the new softplay is open so are library activities. So, what changes can library users see in Bradley Stoke now the work has almost finished? Perhaps the most noticeable new service will be the addition of a new ‘quiet room’, which will be sectioned off with 13 computers and work desks; this will be a strictly silent area unlike the rest of the library. In the past, students have mentioned the
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noise levels that come with having a popular children’s area: the quiet room will allow people to concentrate on their work while others can enjoy the social interactions during Baby Rhyme Time, Story Time or other events. Another important feature will be the change in the actual opening hours. Whilst there was much debate about the curtailing of library services, the plan now is to extend evening opening hours without staff, through an ‘Open Doors’ policy. These unstaffed hours will require registration by users over 16 years of age and will be carefully monitored through a swipe card system. Apart from these changes, the self-issue machines will also get a slight make-over. A new button is to be added on the screen so that users can manage items that require payment. As far as layout is concerned, the Young Adults section is likely to be moved, whilst the main entrance to the library will be opened more centrally near the leisure centre’s entry point, rather than behind a corner as it used to be.
The Bradley Stoke Bowls Club AGM on 27th October was preceded by the presentation of a cheque for £1,000 to Doro Pasantes, centre manager at the West of England MS Therapy Centre located in Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke (www.mstherapybristol.org.uk). Doro thanked the 70 club members present for this much-needed contribution to what is a largely self-supporting centre.
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