Carmarthen Library, Wales
Carmarthen Library re-opened with state-of-the-art technology, more study space and improved stockholding, following a £2.6 million investment.
Balancing study and social space
FG Library & Learning submitted a winning proposal to design and install the shelving and furniture for the project. The foyer is a bright, modern, welcoming space containing self-service points, digital signage and comfortable seating finished in high-performance, contemporary fabrics.
Sharing the entrance area is a vibrant, new Children’s Library. As well as being a magical space which makes use of contemporary materials, a stylish graphic solution and an on-point colour scheme, it is also a focal point to support families and improve reading, literacy skills and confidence.
The new Reference Library is similarly innovative. As part of the refurbishment, the IT Suite was relocated to another part of the Reference floor, where there is a dedicated family history zone, an IT training room and access to 3D printers.
These new facilities not only provide a great new home for reference and local history materials, the county archive service is set to be located here in a new, state-of-the-art extension and a new Makerspace area is soon to follow.
This has been a very exciting project for both customers and staff at Carmarthen Library. The new facility is a unique and valuable resource that perfectly balances social spaces for interaction and knowledge exchange, quiet spaces for contemplation, a makerspace for innovation and, most importantly, a neutral and trusted space for public use, and visitor numbers are set to increase substantially.