Bishopston Library Opens on Wednesday 3 May, 11am

Christine Brown, Library Group Manager – East Bristol Group of libraries shared with us the following good news on the opening of the new Bishopston Library…

After many delays, Bishopston Library will open its doors to the public for the first time on Wednesday 3 May at 11am. Although it’s looked ready for opening for several weeks, there was various building work that needed to be completed before the building was ready to receive its first visitors.

The library is on two floors, with an accessible lift to the first floor where there is a dedicated area for users to plug in laptops and other portable devices so they never run out of power while using them in the library. There are several study tables on this floor, which we hope will help during the revision season.

There is a wide range of stock available, including a big selection of graphic novels and children’s books as well as books in large print and audio format.

Offering eight computers for adults, including one on a height-adjustable table with the option of large print and large format keyboards and a rollerball mouse and two children’s computers, these will prove a helpful addition to community facilities.

A meeting room on the ground floor will be available for groups to hire with local community groups being able to book the room ‘at cost’ (which in many cases will be free of charge – ask staff for details once the library is open). When the meeting room is not in use by groups, we intend to offer it as a quiet study room, which we know has proved popular at Junction 3 Library where we have a similar room.

There are already plans to hold singing sessions and storytimes in the bright and cheery children’s area and the reading group that used to meet at Cheltenham Road Library will relocate to the new library. An additional weekly reading group will also start on 10 May – details will be displayed in the library.

Over the past few months, we’ve been gathering the names of people who are interested in becoming involved in a Friends of Bishopston Library group. We’ll be holding a get together soon so that potential Friends can find out more. We’re also keen to hear from anyone who has an idea for activities they’d like to see at the library. Just talk to staff and we’ll see what we can do.

One idea that we’ve already had is to host a Repair Café – anyone who thinks they’d like to coordinate/get involved in this can get in touch.

We look forward to welcoming library users both old and new. Come and say “Hello” as soon as possible.

Opening hours will be:

  • Monday 1-7pm
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 11am-5pm
  • Thursday 11am-5pm
  • Friday 11am-5pm
  • Saturday 11am-5pm
  • Sunday Closed

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