Coldharbour Library

Coldharbour Road, Gravesend, Northfleet DA11 8AE

http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries/

Coldharbour Library was officially re-opened on Monday 3rd July 2006 by Jade Goody and Sandi Toksvig following the 12 week transformation experiment.

Why did Coldharbour need transforming?

Coldharbour Road Library, Northfleet is a medium sized urban library serving a mixed population of about 40,000. 32.4% of the population have no qualifications and 13% of the population is Asian or Asian British.

The library was a 1960’s concrete box in desperate need of redecoration. The garden was unusable and the building suffered from graffiti damage and general disrepair.

How was the library changed?

Coldharbour library had a total re-design to create a much lighter, airier feel. The interior uses greens and blues with light natural wood furniture and the entrance opened up into a quick choice books area. The huge counter was replaced by two small borrowing pods.

The striking geometric flooring and accented visual features like red sofas and a comfy reading den with twinkly lights were designed to entice people into all the different areas. New lighting was installed to create atmosphere, and quotes displayed on the walls to signal a place that is all about words.

On top of the normal expenditure, an extra £10,000 was invested in new book stocks and new categories introduced to help people find what they want. The quick pick area displays new books and bestsellers for users in a rush. The YouZone has mind, body and spirit books, while the ExploreZone has arts, crafts, languages and travel.

The derelict garden was transformed into a Reading Garden with funky garden furniture and a storytelling space. It was created by local people helping with a huge digging job, and the expert advice of local celebrity TV gardener Tom Hart Dyke.

A 24/7on-line catalogue, on-line joining and an out of hours drop off box makes the library accessible at all times. Five computers with free broadband access were installed and a digital listening post.

Local people were involved all the way along, shaping ideas for the layout, stock, garden and furniture. Non and lapsed users were targeted through special events at the leisure centre and school.

What new initiatives were introduced?

  • “Take away” book boxes
  • Teenage Room
  • Author Events
  • Advertising

Who was involved?

Tony Coffield of Curious Architecture advised on interior design; Melanie Bloxham and Marie Gray from Pan Macmillan’s Marketing Department advised on how to market to new audiences, and Helena Towers, publicist at Hodder Headline, helped with the promotion of a high profile events schedule and author appearances. Philip Downer, Retail Director of Borders, ran a session on customer care, and Ros Hines of Waterstones one on retail display techniques. The Reading Agency ran a series of workshops on how to create a vibrant reading service. Opening the Book’s Frontline staff training helped develop staff skills.