Families zone for Chelmsford Library
Chelmsford Library will soon host a new hub for family services following a £316,000 makeover of the children's zone.
27 Nov 2017
The project will put the library at the heart of family support services in the city, where library staff, health and social care workers, along with staff and volunteers from other support agencies, will come together to create a one-stop shop for free family services.
The revamp has been made possible thanks to a £145,586 grant from Arts Council England, plus a further £171,000 from Chelmsford City Council’s Chelmsford Infrastructure Levy Fund.
The integrated 0-19 Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service and library provides a variety of activities and support for families, including the award-winning Rhyme Time sessions, friendship and toddler groups, play and learn sessions, sensory play, breastfeeding support drop-ins, health advice, and other children’s literacy and learning services.
Health & wellbeing area
Cllr Susan Barker, Cabinet Member responsible for libraries, said: “Projects such as this showcase the huge potential of Essex libraries as venues for all kinds of community-enriching activities, not just places to read books. People visited Chelmsford Library more than 450,000 times over the past year, which makes it a fantastic venue to provide other vital services under one roof.”
Work will begin on the new integrated space on January 2 with the installation set for completion by March ahead of a grand opening.
Images/design proposals: FG Library & Learning/ Essex County Council