Official joint opening of Chantry Library and Hawthorn
Children's Centre
The newly refurbished Chantry Library and the new
Hawthorn Children's Centre celebrated their opening on
Tuesday 22 July.
Suffolk County Council has led the development of this first joint
library and children's centre in the county. Councillor Graham
Newman (Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community Services) and
Councillor Keith Rawlingson (Local Councillor for Chantry Ward)
will both cut the ribbon to officially open the new facility.
Councillor Graham Newman, Portfolio Holder for Adult and
Community Services said: "Modern, attractive buildings are so
important and I welcome the transformation of Chantry Library. This
represents Suffolk County Council's continuing commitment to a
significant and ongoing capital programme for providing new
libraries and modernising older ones. I'm particularly pleased to
have such close links with the Hawthorn Children's Centre and the
opportunities working together will bring to encourage reading,
learning and library use from an early age."
The Library has been completely modernised: the exciting new
space has been designed to be flexible and welcoming, providing
activities for young children, families and learners of all ages.
It will also have sessions for silver surfers, and weekly Top Time
drop-in sessions for older customers offering activities, courses
and socialising.
The Hawthorn Children's Centre was funded by a government grant
from the Sure Start Unit via Suffolk County Council. It joins a
growing network of children's centres in Suffolk providing health
services, family support, a base for childminders, help into
employment, free drop-in play sessions, and links with Jobcentre
Plus and to care and education for 0-5 year olds.
The library and children's centre will share facilities
including reception and accessible toilets. Children's Centre
Manager / Coordinator, Lynda Handshaw said: "We took a unique
opportunity to integrate the children's centre with Chantry Library
and the result is a fantastic community resource for people of all
ages."
Councillor Patricia O'Brien, Portfolio Holder for Children and
Young People said: "Hawthorn Children's Centre is one of many new
projects designed to help improve services for children and
families in the Chantry area."
For more information see our
Chantry Library activities and events page.
Contact details and opening times of Chantry
Library