Brighton & Hove City Council leader Jason Kitcat on the new library in Woodingdean

By some estimates, the UK is losing hundreds of libraries a year because of government reductions in council funding. This is a huge a blow to the many people who use them as a local community hub.

In this context, it’s exciting that not only have we maintained our branch libraries across Brighton and Hove, we’re bucking the trend by having just opened a brand new library in Woodingdean. The old library was a ‘temporary’ cabin erected in 1959, which was in desperate need of a modern replacement. We’d seen visits steadily increasing over the last few years, with around 26,000 items borrowed every year.

Building work began in autumn last year, and it was great to see local author Lynne Truss opening the new building a few weeks ago. Woodingdean’s new library will have longer opening hours, and offer bigger, better and more accessible facilities. It is almost double the size of the previous one, and features a computer suite, small meeting room and an out-of-hours entrance. The library also has a new medical centre attached, making it a true community hub.

Gone are the days of libraries just providing a great range of free books for children and adults to read – vital though that is. Libraries nowadays often offer information about local services, study and homework support, classes, play areas, and community meeting space. Importantly libraries also have computer facilities and free internet access for the quarter of people who don’t have it at home. This is particularly crucial at a time when many are experiencing financial hardship, and when the only way to access the government’s welfare system is via the internet.

Everyone knows it’s a very difficult time for councils as our funding continually dwindles. However by working with others – such as the NHS, as we did with Woodingdean Library – we are able to build long-awaited new facilities for our communities.