Refurbishment of Kent Elms Library

September 8, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Kent Elms Library on Rayleigh Road is set for a major refurbishment that will reinvent the layout of the main library.

The refurbishment will create a fresh new welcoming area for customers as well as changes to the entrance to provide better access for those with mobility needs and pushchairs. A private meeting room is also being created as a space which can be hired out.

The library will close for the works at 7pm on Tuesday 20th September and will reopen on Monday 7th November at 9am.

Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, says: “We are excited to start work on the refurbishment of Kent Elms Library; we hope that residents and library users will enjoy the changes being made and improvements to access.

“Libraries are an important part of the community and we look forward to welcoming library users and hope it will encourage new customers.

“Library users will be able to borrow double the number of items before the closure as well as being offered extended dates on loaned items.”

While Kent Elms Library is closed residents are being urged to use the nearest branches: Westcliff Library, 649 London Road, Westcliff and Leigh Library, Broadway West, Leigh-on-Sea. Users can also visit The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea.

All library users are able to renew items online at www.southend.gov.uk/libraries or by phoning 01702 534151. It is suggested that anyone reserving items for collections should change the pick-up location to one of the other local library branches: Leigh, Westcliff or The Forum.

Library staff and volunteers will be on hand to assist Library users and answer any questions regarding loans and renewals.