Bolton Library reopens after multi-million-pound refurbishment

The library shut on September 10, 2022, for the £4 million refurbishment made possible by a bid to the Towns Fund.

Over almost a year and a half it was based at a site in Crompton Place to allow for the transformation of the site on Le Mans Crescent, which opened to the public more than 80 years ago on July 4, 1938. 

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Now it is back to its former glory with a number of authentic, architectural features on display alongside other, forward-looking features including improved digital facilities.

There is a cafe, a 'Build a Business' section, a children's section in three areas for children of different ages, a mezzanine for use by different groups and much, much more.

Nadeem Ayub, Bolton Council's cabinet member for culture, spoke to The Bolton News at an exclusive event to launch the library.

Cllr Ayub said: "It is absolutely amazing. Outside it is really cold but we have had an absolutely amazing turnout to launch the library.

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"My favourite feature is the area for the children, but in particular the area for the young children, because it encourages them to read and the more reading you do the more likely you are going to do well."

Ayub Khan, the president of Libraries Connected and the head of libraries at Warwickshire County Council, congratulated those involved in the work.

In a short speech he said the work on Bolton Library was "wonderful".

Mr Khan said: "I came to this country as a refugee at the age of four years old. We were expelled from Uganda with little more than we could carry.

"We were comfortably off in Uganda but we had next to nothing when we arrived in Birmingham in the 1970s. We certainly could not afford books.

"As a child the local libraries were magical, they were my box of delights. 

"I am a grown-up and I manage lots of libraries but the magic is still there."

Bolton Library reopens today, Friday, and all residents are welcome at a family fun day tomorrow, Saturday.

For information go to boltonlams.co.uk or search Bolton Library and Museum Services on social media.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.