Betws Library, which is managed by Awen Cultural Trust in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council, will be closed from 18th October until early February 2025 to undergo a refurbishment. With almost £150,000 being invested, the work is being funded by a Welsh Government Transformation Capital Grant with match funding provided by Awen Cultural Trust.
During the refurbishment, the library entrance will be improved for accessibility, the space will be reconfigured and redecorated with a softer, calming colour palette, and a combination of new fixed and movable furniture will allow the library to be used more flexibility for events and activities. An acoustically absorbent work pod will provide a quite space for meetings, studying and working.
Upstairs, the training room will also be modernised with updated furniture to enable the space to be hired and used for multiple purposes. To further support the building’s sustainable credentials, new double-glazed windows and LED lighting improve energy efficiency, while the installation of a battery to store surplus electricity from the existing array of solar panels will further reduce Betws Life Centre’s rising energy bills.
While the work is underway, there will be pop-up library in the foyer area every Thursday from 10am to 1pm, where members can order and collect books. This service will continue every week except between 19th December and 2nd January 2025. Bettws Café, based in the centre, will remain open as usual.
Richard Hughes, Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said:
“We are grateful to Welsh Government for this much-needed funding which will enable us to provide the Betws community with the modern library they so rightly deserve. The library is well used by local people of all ages but its current infrastructure and furniture is now proving too inflexible and outdated to offer the range of services our users need from us.
“At Awen, we are committed to investing in the spaces and places we manage in partnership with the local authority. Wherever possible, this investment includes improving accessibility for people with disabilities and/or mobility issues and pairing solar panels with LED lighting to maximise our environmental sustainability efforts.
“The artist impressions provided by FG Library & Learning, who were successful in the competitive tender process, show a modern, inspiring and flexible space and we look forward to working closely with them to realise the plans and welcoming the community of Betws back into the library and training room as soon as possible.”
Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, said:
This significant £132,000 Transformation Capital Grant funding towards improvements at Betws Library marks an exciting new chapter for the facility and the community.
“Libraries remain vital hubs for lifelong learning, public engagement and personal growth. These renovations will help modernise the space whilst preserving its role as a welcoming and accessible resource for all and I look forward to seeing how these improvements rejuvenate this essential local facility.”