Delight over village's £1m library

A £1 million library and community hub in Staffordshire, which was built with lottery funding, has now been officially opened.

The building in Burntwood Road, Norton Canes, opened to the public at the end of last month after the old library closed on December 30 and was demolished.

Staffordshire County Councillor Ben Adams, cabinet member for communities and culture, and local dignitary Chisholm Wallace marked the official opening of the new facilities on Tuesday.

The money was secured through the Big Lottery Community Libraries Fund.

Services within the new library and community information hub include books and access to loan of CDs and DVDs, free computer and internet access and meeting rooms which are available for booking.

Councillor Adams said: "I am delighted to see that Norton Canes Library is opening its doors once again and I am certain that the residents of the village will be thrilled with their new library and information hub.

"It has been made possible through a lottery grant. A lot of hard work had gone into securing the lottery grant but I believe it will all be worth it. The new library and community hub really does look impressive."

Guests were joined by architect Richard Tomlins and contractors Interclass. Councillor Les Bullock, who represents Norton Canes ward at Cannock Chase Council, said the new facilities were first class.

He said: "It really is a fantastic building. It is absolutely brilliant for the people of Norton Canes to have a facility like this in their village.The feedback we are having so far off people is really good. I would just urge people to come along and make the most of these wonderful new facilities."

The old library in Burntwood Road had been open for 47 years until it was bulldozed earlier this year.

As well as the library the new building houses computers, meeting and exhibition space and drop-in services from agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.