Oswestry Library

The original building was constructed as an art school in 1890. It became a library in 1959 and was extended in 1974. The public areas then measured 350 square metres which were located on five levels and this caused serious access problems for customers and staff. The recent development project has linked the existing ground floor of the old library with one floor of a new mixed use building which also houses retail and office space. The public areas are now housed on two floors which are linked by a passenger lift and a short flight of stairs with feature lighting . The ground floor space (80sm) is used as a reception area and for displays, quick pick selection and self service issue, return and internet. All the main services are housed on the first floor and they include a castle themed children's library (Animania), a flexible performance space in the non-fiction area with mobile shelf units, an extended local history centre, public toilets, a coffee machine and a meeting room. The internal design brief asked for "something spectacular with quality products that work" and what has been created is a flexible, imaginative and vibrant space for the whole community.

Awards

-