A date has been set for the opening of Bolton Library after a multi-million pound refurbishment and restoration project.

The library on Le Mans Crescent has been closed for more than than a year, and it will open in Friday, January 19.

The new look will be celebrated with a family fund day on Saturday, January 20 from 11am – 3pm.

The £4.43m renovation project and refurbishment has seen the building stripped back to reveal many of the original features and now includes an expanded children’s area, improved social spaces, updated digital facilities and a new café, which will be unveiled at the grand opening.

The new space has been designed to reflect the changing way in which communities use their local libraries, with an added emphasis on reading, creativity and digital inclusion.

The design of the new look library focuses on the priorities of the customers’ needs including:

• Digital facilities

• Education and employment information

• Cultural and creative activities

• Health and wellbeing

• Signposting to other organisations

The new mezzanine floor provides a welcoming space for a variety of local community and wellbeing groups and for other groups who visit and wish to use the building.

A new children and young people’s library space has been created and split into three areas for young people of different ages.

With a section for under-fives including dedicated areas for play and exploration, the second and third spaces will be for older children and young people.

Giving opportunity to develop their experience and joy of reading whilst also being a safe and engaging place for young people to spend time in the town centre.

A full programme of activities and events will take place for children and young people. Plus, this area will be one of the main venues for school sessions.

The renovations also include Changing Places Toilets. Part of a campaign to make it so that anybody can use a toilet regardless of their disability, these toilets have extra equipment and space.

Small businesses are also being supported in the Build A Business area that will deliver workshops, events and one to one advice sessions to help support new businesses and entrepreneurs.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said: “It’s an exciting time getting ready for the opening of the new Central Library and I am looking forward to seeing the updated areas and improved opportunities for the community.

“Creating new spaces for residents and offering a wider range of services means we can further support local people and also local businesses by bringing more people into the town centre.”

The spaces have been designed to complement the heritage of the Le Mans Crescent building and at the same time making it easier for staff to interact with visitors and vice versa.

The building upgrade will better meet the needs of more people who live, work, study and visit Bolton.

Although the Museum of the Moon will be located in the library area for the Put Big Light On festival, the library will not be open to customers until the grand opening date.