We are a thriving Independent Historic Library and Educational Charity, welcoming new members of all ages.
We are open as usual: Tuesdays to Fridays 10am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
Contact us:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

The Next Chapter Project – What’s Happening This Week?

Find our what's happening during the construction phase of our project

What’s happening in September-October?

  • The Lancaster Room is our site office, and the side carriageway, the Inner library and the Upper Reading Rooms are hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the back door and the double doors leading to the outer library and then out of the front door.
  • The Inner library floor has been completed and is now open for use – we are awaiting the double display cabinets either side of the fireplace.
  • The new ‘Blue Room’ has been decorated, the floorboards restored, lighting is being fitted and the fireplaces are being restored.
  • The Cupola has been restored.
  • The extension building work is complete.   The lift is installed and the electrics and plumbing are underway.
  • The former lavatory and office have been restored and are now ‘the Parlour’ and ‘the Green Room’.    Floors in these areas and the hallway are being
  • All services are now in the Inner library and reception is in the Courtenay room – thank you for your patience while we work on other parts of the building.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the laundry room, adjacent to the garden gate.

What’s happening in May -July?

  • The Lancaster Room is our site office, and the side carriageway, the Inner library and the Upper Reading Rooms are hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the back door and the inner library ‘secret’ door.
  • The Inner library floor has been completed and is now open for use
  • The new ‘Blue Room’ on the first floor has been decorated and the floor is now being sanded, waxed and polished.
  • Conservation work to the cupola is taking place, both internally and externally, via a scaffold.
  • Second fix electricals are beginning to be installed.
  • Roofing of the extension is being completed and the space is being dried ready for insulation and glazing.
  • All services are now in the Inner library and reception is in the Courtenay room – thank you for your patience while we work on other parts of the building.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the laundry room, adjacent to the garden gate.

What’s happening in March and April?

  • The Lancaster Room is our site office, and the side carriageway, the Inner library and the Upper Reading Rooms are hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the inner library ‘secret’ door.
  • The Inner library is undergoing conservation to the floor, installation of the heating trenches, structural works, rewiring and redecoration.
  • The dividing screen in the Upper Reading Rooms has been removed and the cupola opened.
  • Conservation work to the cupola is taking place, both internally and externally, via a scaffold.
  • The Upper Reading Room is being rewired and the walls are being prepared for decoration.
  • The timber frame for the new extension is near completion and the first fix electrics and plumbing are going in. Insulation, roofing, and cladding are in process.
  • The metal frame for the garden room has been erected and glass is being installed.
  • All services are now in the Outer Library and ‘office’ reading room – thank you for your patience while we work on other parts of the building.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the front cloakroom.

What’s happening in February?

  • The Lancaster Room is our site office, and the side carriageway, the Inner library and the Upper Reading Rooms are hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the inner library ‘secret’ door.
  • The Inner library is undergoing conservation to the floor, installation of the heating trenches, structural works, and rewiring.
  • The dividing screen in the Upper Reading Rooms is being removed and the cupola is being opened.
  • The timber frame for the new extension is near completion and the first fix electrics and plumbing are going in.
  • The metal frame for the garden room is being erected.
  • All services are now in the Outer Library and office reading room – thank you for your patience while we work on other parts of the building.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the front cloakroom.

January 2024

  • The Lancaster Room is our site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • The timber frame is being erected for the new extension, ground floor and first floor.   Windows are being delivered on 22nd
  • We are moving the research service into the Outer Library – thank you for your patience while we undertake this move.
  • We are protecting the books in the Inner Library with Tyvek covering but collections remain accessible via our bookable research service.
  • The Upper Reading Room and Stirling room are now hard hat areas and not accessible. The dividing screen is being removed and the cupola is being opened.
  • New heating infrastructure has temporarily connected to the old heaters, while trench heaters are installed in the Inner Library.
  • Doorways to the new build have been made at ground and first floor level in the stairwell – but boarded from the inside for security and safety.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the front cloakroom.

4 -20 December 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door
  • The timber frame is being erected for the new extension.
  • New heating infrastructure is being temporarily connected to the old heaters, while trench heaters are installed.
  • Doorways to the new build have been made at ground and first floor level in the stairwell – but boarded from the inside for security and safety.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the front cloakroom.

1 -30 November 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • The extension floor is being levelled and the steel and concrete base is being positioned.
  • Doorways to the new build will be made at ground and first floor level in the stairwell – but boarded from the inside for security and safety.
  • Air source heating pipework and fans have been installed.
  • We are testing the installation of new heating trenches in the Inner Library.
  • The timber frame for the new build extension has been constructed off site.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the front cloakroom.

2 – 27 October 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • Doorways to the new build will be made at ground and first floor level in the stairwell – but boarded from the inside for security and safety.
  • Ground works for the new build including drainage, party wall repair, timber repair and installation of heating pipework are underway.
  • Piling work to support the new build takes place 9th-11th Oct (apologies for the noise levels in the libraries).
  • A concrete slab will be laid to create the footprint of the new extension.
  • The timber frame for the new build extension has been constructed off site.
  • We are testing the installation of new heating trenches in the Inner Library.
  • Our archaeology team continue their watching brief of the site, documenting any finds and advising the construction team. Some complete clay pipes have been found along with 13th-19th Century ceramic fragments.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the front cloakroom.

18 – 29 September 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • Demolition of the old boiler house and lavatory block are underway. Sorry for the noise while demolition takes place.
  • Until the new build is completed, a temporary unisex lavatory is available in the front cloakroom.
  • The timber frame for the new build extension has been constructed off site.
  • We are testing the installation of new heating trenches in the Inner Library
  • Connection of air source heat pump and testing of the boiler is underway.
  • Our archaeology team continue their watching brief of the site, documenting any finds and advising the construction team.

1 September – 15 September 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • Our new electricity and gas supplies are being connected – sorry but we will be closed on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th September to accommodate this.
  • Removal of old concrete and excavation continues in the side courtyard for drainage trenches.
  • Demolition of the old boiler house and lavatory block commence. Until the new build is completed, there will be a temporary unisex lavatory available in the front cloakroom.
  • The timber frame for the new build extension is being constructed off site.
  • Our archaeology team continue their watching brief of the site, documenting any finds and advising the construction team.

8 August – 31 August 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • The back kitchen is now our plant room, containing boilers, air source heat pump tank and electrical panels.
  • The front kitchen has been refitted to accommodate all appliances.
  • Our new water supply is being connected.
  • A door opening has been made where the external window was. The garden is still accessible.

20 July -28 July 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • The back kitchen is being fitted as a plant room, containing boilers, air source heat pump tank and electrical panels – our new utilities will come in from the back of the building.
  • A door opening has been made where the external window was. The garden is still accessible.
  • The front kitchen is being refitted and will remain operational – lunch will continue Wednesdays.
  • The boiler house has been stripped and asbestos has been safely removed.
  • UV panels are being scoped for the roof

26 June  – 17 July 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • Our contractors are digging test pits in the side carriageway to locate services and remove redundant pipework and cabling before piling can begin. A temporary electrical supply will be installed.
  • We are installing a temporary lavatory in the ladies cloakroom, which is not yet in use. In due course, this will enable demolition of the old lavatory block.
  • The back kitchen has been stripped to make way for a plant room and our new utilities will come in from the back of the building.   A door opening will be made where the external window is.

Week commencing 19 June 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • We are replacing lead waterpipes in the side carriageway.
  • We are installing a temporary lavatory in the ladies cloakroom, which is not yet in use. In due course, this will enable demolition of the old lavatory block.
  • We are installing a temporary electricity supply to enable old cabling to be removed.
  • The back kitchen has been stripped to make way for a plant room and our new utilities will come in from the back of the building.   A door opening will be made where the external window is.
  • The boiler house has been stripped and we are awaiting the results of an asbestos analysis before it is demolished.

Week commencing 12 June 2023

  • The Lancaster Room is now the site office, and the side carriageway is a hard-hat area and not accessible.   Our fire exits are the front door and the back garden door.
  • The back kitchen has been stripped to make way for a plant room and our new utilities will come in from the back of the building.   A door opening will be made where the external window is.
  • We have a temporary kitchen arrangement for catering purposes before the front kitchen fit-out next week.
  • The boiler house has been stripped and we are awaiting the results of an asbestos analysis before it is demolished.
  • The temporary lavatory will be fitted in the ladies cloakroom, to enable demolition of the lavatory block.