New £8.6 Million Library Opens Soon in Reading!

A new £8.6 million Central Library opens in Reading town centre on Thursday, 18 June after a move into the council's Bridge Street offices.

Books, IT kit and other services have been moved into the civic offices, and the former Central Library in Kings Road will be repurposed. Services at the original building ended on Monday, 11 May.

From 18 June the library will be open 9am-5pm on Mondays and Fridays, 9am-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10am-3pm on Saturdays. It will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The creation of the new library and upgrades to the civic offices were enabled after the council successfully bid for Levelling Up funding from the previous Conservative government in January 2023.

Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), the council leader, said: "We have been working hard to create a spacious library filled with books residents want to read, as well as work and study stations.

"This is a new chapter for library services in the town at a new location, and we are investing to ensure our libraries are delivering for everyone in our town.

"Our libraries are not just here to lend books, they are busy, vibrant, crucial centres of activity.

"We can't wait to share the new Central Library with you."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter