After two very busy and hot months, the refurb is finished! We have done absolutely everything that we wanted to, and finished with an overspend of only 0.23% against a revised budget of £33,768.55, which is quite amazing.
The success of it all can be attributed to great teamwork, especially from the volunteers who came to help with a very high-speed hour moving books onto tables throughout the library (so that the painter could have an easier job) followed a week later by a very hot and tiring morning putting them all back again.
We were asked by North Yorkshire Library (NYL) to keep the library shut for as short a time as possible, and so when we did reopen there were still a few things to be completed. We were greatly helped by Facilities at NYL, who made extra trips from HQ to take away our excess furniture. When we reopened on 3 July we did ask the volunteers on duty to explain to our customers that it was still "work in progress" and everyone was very understanding and very grateful to have the library open again.
We organised two events to celebrate the reopening of the library, the first being an Open Morning on Saturday, 11 July, to coincide with the launch of the Summer Reading Challenge (a Read to the Beat Music Party). The library was extremely lively! Approximately 25 children came and joined in, making bongoes and other musical instruments from large empty yogurt pots etc. 28 children joined the Summer Reading Challenge and many customers, including our local MP, Kevin Hollinrake, enjoyed the refreshments provided by us in the Bedale Room at Bedale Hall (our library is too small to accommodate refreshments as well!). On Wednesday, 15 July, we held Library Drinks, again in the Bedale Room, for our volunteers, senior NYL staff, the manager of Bedale Hall, Sally Williams and her two caretakers, Stuart Watson and his wife Karen Watson. They have all been incredibly helpful to us, especially during the closure period.
Since the library has reopened we have had a total appreciation of the new look. The main comment has been that people are amazed by how much more spacious the library looks. The Junior area is probably the highlight of the refurb, as previously it was a very small, cramped and overcrowded area. Our new community area in the middle of the library has also been greatly appreciated, especially the comfortable sofa where customers can sit and decide which books they want to borrow. The entrance area inside the library door has also drawn many comments. By removing the noticeborards and bookcases, which cut the library in half and made it look very narrow, the entire space has been opened up.
Our library has been transformed from a very drab and rundown area into a vibrant, lively and creative space which will be good for many years to come. If you haven't been in to see it yet, please come and visit us!
Published: 28/08/2026 Published by: Bedale Community Library
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