Richmond Library

The Little Green, Richmond, TW9 1QL

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/libraries/

Richmond Lending Library was officially re-opened on Monday 3rd July by Ben Fogle, Michael Rosen and Rageh Omaar following the 12 week transformation project.

Why did Richmond need transforming?

Located on Richmond’s historic Little Green, the library was built in 1880, making it one of the oldest public libraries in London. It is a listed building.

The library has been through many changes during its 125 years and an incremental addition of services over the years had led to a confusion of layout and design and an overall sense of clutter.

It was shabby and run down. The bookstock was used very heavily, but over the years found itself competing for space with the other services on offer.

How was the library changed?

On a limited budget, Richmond library was visibly transformed using ideas from local people.

The layout was totally re-designed. “Where you used to see counters and barriers, now you see space, light and books” says Aileen Cahill, Head of Richmond Libraries. At the entrance is a busy “quick choice” book exchange area as you enter, followed by a comfy, relaxed reading area with coffee and sofas. The new ICT area has 7 computers with free broadband access, and there’s a new zone for teenagers near the CDs and DVDs.

“We’ve respected the original space, using simple wall colours of white with dove grey accents to allow the original Victorian features to shine” says Aileen Cahill. ‘We’ve downsized the huge counter, and although we couldn’t afford new shelving all round, we’ve concentrated on displaying books really enticingly, using retail techniques like table top displays”. The budget for the physical makeover was £70,000.

An extra £10,000 on top of the normal book budget was invested in new book stocks - giving users a better choice of books. There was a new emphasis on adult fiction, without reducing the availabality of non-fiction.

New ways of making it easier to choose books were introduced. The use of technology encouraged to offer 24/7 convenient services and create excitement around books. The online catalogue allows people to renew or order books. Readers can join an online readers’ group and download e-books to their MP3 players. A self service terminal and out of hours drop off box introduced, along with a digital listening post and plasma screen publicising “meet the author” sessions.

What new services were introduced?

  • “New book look” makeovers
  • Book cafe Reading menus (with starters and main courses) dotted around, with displays of “today’s specials”.
  • Author events
  • Advertising

Who was involved?

Brian McManus, Design Director of L&H Studio advised on design; Noel Murphy, Marketing Director at Faber and Faber advised on how to reach new audiences, and Louisa Symington, publicist at Penguin 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 advised on retail display techniques. The Reading Agency ran a sessions on how to create a vibrant reading service. Opening the Book’s Frontline staff training and visits to the local bookshop helped develop staff skills.