LLANELLI Library is to stage a grand reopening next month to showcase its £3.8 million revamp.

A programme of events and activities is being planned for the day, including performances by school choirs and bands, dancers, and talks by local historians.

The library will be closed for two weeks from February 13 to allow staff to move all stock back into the building.

A week of activities will then begin to celebrate the reopening of the building after around 18 months of work.

The restoration included protecting and preserving the older part of the building — the grade 2 listed Athenaeum — which is one of the oldest buildings in the town centre.

A reference library, children's library, an arts and craft exhibition area, video conferencing and training room and an atrium area are being housed in the building.

Integrated

Education and children's services executive board member Gwynne Wooldridge said: "Our aim was to provide a wholly integrated, modern public library, housed in a safe, secure and attractive building, on the present library site in Llanelli.

"We have integrated the older part of the building with the newer elements, in order to provide one seamless, modern, state- of-the-art public library service, providing an iconic building and reinforcing the library as a worthy regional headquarters for the area.

Reference

"It will also help establish the library as a community, learning, and cultural hub for the town and surrounding area."

The reference and music libraries, along with the basic skills service, were moved temporarily to the top floor of the former British Legion building in Vauxhall to allow the refurbishment work to be carried out.

They will be returned to the main library building by Thursday, March 1.

The work at the library 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 music and film lending area, and an IT suite with 27 public access computers.

Mr Wooldridge added: "It is pleasing to see that work is almost complete for this major refurbishment at Llanelli Library.

"We hope many people will come along to our reopening to see for themselves the excellent works done and the new improved services we are offering."