Dozens of events for Llanelli Library’s grand reopening week

Dozens of events are taking place at Llanelli Library to celebrate its grand reopening week following its £3.8million refurbishment.

The programme starts with the reopening of the building on Monday, March 5 and runs until Friday, March 9.

Every day, visitors can enter the library quiz with a chance to win an e-reader, take a tour of the building, meet the staff, see Superbook, or enjoy tea, coffee and bara brith.

On March 5, there will be visits by Fireman Sam character Naughty Norman, poetry and prose from the Phoenix Theatre Group, artist Nina Morgan will host a display from Ysgol Dewi Sant pupils, Phil Cullen will talk about the map and plan collection, Pentip School Choir will entertain, there will be a chance to talk to local historians, author Catrin Collier will visit, and a ballroom and latin dance demonstration will take place.

For children, there will be an under fives storytime, along with a knights and princesses story and craft session.

On March 6, Pentip schoolchildren will visit, and a Gruffalo storytime will be held, on March 7 there will be a storytime session for Polish families, and another chance to meet local historians.

On March 8, children from Penygaer School will visit, a story of Wales workshop will be held and a “Child’s view of living and working in Llanelli in the past” will be put on.

On March 9, the Phoenix group will present poetry and prose, and another class visit will take place. The official opening of the library will also be held at 12.30pm on that day.

The week of activities is being held to celebrate the completion of the restoration work which included protecting and preserving the older part of the building – the Grade 2 listed Athenaeum, one of the oldest buildings in the town centre. A reference library, children’s library, an arts/crafts exhibition area, video conferencing/training room, and a substantial atrium area is being housed in the building.

The work is phase three of the refurbishment, and follows extensive repairs in the newer part of the building which has provided a new adult lending library, a CD/DVD lending area and state-of-the-art IT suite with facilities for 27 public access computers. A ‘Return to Learn Centre’, providing a basic skills service, was also incorporated into the adult lending library in 2006.

Education and Children’s Services executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “This full week of activities will offer everyone the opportunity to come along and see for themselves the excellent work which has been completed, and the many facilities the library has to offer.”

Work to completely refurbish the adjacent Grade 1 listed building, Llanelly House, is also progressing. Along with the Parish Church, the Athenaeum at the library and Llanelly House are three of the oldest buildings in the town centre, and form a cultural quarter.