Village library in Chinnor reopens after major refurbishment

More than 5,000 books were moved back in during the past week before reopening

A village library has undergone a major renovation in order to modernise its facilities.

Chinnor Library closed in January to make it more "state of the art", Oxfordshire County Council said.

Neil Fawcett, cabinet member for community and corporate services, said it had been transformed "on multiple fronts".

According to the Friends of Chinnor Library, 5,336 books were moved back in during the last week before reopening.

Improvements include a new children's area, with reading dens, and dedicated working and study spaces with charging points.

Chinnor Library has been transformed "on multiple fronts"

New moveable shelving means the interiors can be changed around for special events.

Additional loft insulation and solar panels, lighting upgrades and air source heat pumps - which can provide air conditioning during the summer - were also installed.

Mr Fawcett said: "We installed new signage and branding, updated the furnishings, created a flexible layout, installed a new heating system and incorporated environmentally sustainable features.

"This has been a real team effort, with the local community, our volunteer group, our staff and suppliers all pulling together, and we are really proud of the end product.

"We are confident that local people will love the changes - and they now have a library that is modern, warm, welcoming and better able to meet their needs."

The refurbishment was paid for through developers' funding and additional council contributions.

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