We’re excited to welcome people back to Dodworth Library next week (Tuesday 2 May), giving the local community their first chance to explore our fully refurbished library space for themselves.

We’ve been hard at work over the past three months making improvements to Dodworth Library, creating a modern, flexible and accessible space everyone can enjoy.

We’ve made major improvements to make Dodworth Library greener, including:

• Installing air source heat pumps, which absorb heat from outside the building and reuse it to heat our library spaces.
• New double glazing throughout the building, improving energy performance.
• Installing smart electric lighting, which detects natural light levels and adjusts accordingly.

You’ll notice some big changes to our refurbished facilities, including a vibrant, expanded children’s library and new-look study and soft seating spaces where you can work, learn and connect.

We’ve also invested in improving digital connectivity, including a new self-service station, and access for library users, making Dodworth Library somewhere everyone can enjoy.

We’ve got lots of exciting activities planned later this month to welcome children and families back to Dodworth Library and see our enhanced offer in action. Please keep an eye on Barnsley Libraries’ social media channels for more information on what we have planned.

As part of our exciting journey as a National Portfolio Organisation, we will continue to offer exciting cultural events at our community libraries, helping everyone to express their creative side.

Julia Burrows, Executive Director for Public Health and Communities, said: “We’re passionate about creating inclusive, vibrant and excellent library spaces for everyone to enjoy, no matter where you live. A key hub in the local community, we’re really excited to welcome people back to our new-look Dodworth Library next week.

“At the heart of our refurbishment plans was making Dodworth Library more sustainable and future-proof, helping you find what you’re looking for in your local area for many years to come. We can’t wait for people to start exploring our new-look library – be sure to pop by to see our enhanced offer for yourself and enjoy one of our opening events.”

Dodworth Library is the latest community library to see exciting updates to its facilities as part of our Libraries Refurbishment programme, joining Hoyland and Roundhouse Libraries. This programme is enabling us to improve community libraries across Barnsley, making them even better places to visit and helping our Principal Towns and local high streets to thrive.

This project has been made possible by a grant of £144,375 from Art Council England’s Libraries Improvement Fund supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Additional funding has been made available from our Libraries Refurbishment programme.

Excited to explore our new-look Dodworth Library? Why not sign up to become a Library Member, giving you access to a wide range of books and digital resources.

Become a Library Member for free today by visiting barnsley.gov.uk/join-the-library.