Huntingdon Library and Archives

Location: Adjacent to town-centre shops, car parks and the bus station, on the site of the previous Huntingdon Library building opened in 1971. Part of a re-development of several county council properties, next door to the renovated listed building which now houses the registry office and close to a new development of apartments.

External features include Cambridge brickwork, an attractive curve to the south east corner, cedar cladding and double-height windows along the front facade.

Internal emphasis on spaciousness high ceilings & tall polished concrete columns, light including a central vent to roof level from the Ground Floor and colour achieved though soft furnishings, graphic panels & signage. High proportion of public space.

Ground Floor includes a children's library inspired by the Green Knowe stories of local author Lucy Boston, a teenage area, Quick Pick section, cafe, staff workroom and offices for the local Cromwell Museum curator and 'nextsteps' careers advice service for adults.

First Floor includes a Learning Centre, study areas and meeting / activity rooms providing flexible space for up to 60 people, staff room, the Local Studies collections and the Cromwell Collection one of the best collections on the Civil War outside academic libraries. Huntingdon Library and Huntingdonshire Archives Service are together for the first time in this building, so also on the first floor are the Archives Search Room and temperature and humidity-controlled storage facilities for manuscripts and other archive materials.

Awards

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