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Refurbishments are underway at Rhymney Library after more than £400,000 was awarded from the Welsh Government and Caerphilly County Borough Council.

The refurbishment has been funded by the Transformation capital grant programme administered by the Welsh Government and Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Library Service and Place Shaping fund.

A council spokesperson said £134,000 had been awarded from the council’s Library Service and Place Shaping fund alongside £269,902 from Welsh Government’s Transformation capital grant programme – that’s £403,902 in total.

When the recipients of the £750,000 Transformation Capital Grant Scheme funding were announced in May 2022, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Senedd Member Dawn Bowden said the money would help the library become an “educational reading and support hub for local residents”.

In a post on Twitter, Caerphilly Libraries wrote about the refurbishment and said: “The work to modernise Rhymney library into a community and support hub for residents has finally begun.

“The redevelopment features new library shelving and seating, a laptop lounge, hot drinks station, private meeting spaces, a new ground floor children’s library, a community space and a new training suite.”

The last time the library was refurbished was in 2009 after first opening back in the 1970s.

Currently, the ground floor of the library is still open during the refurbishment and visitors are still able to loan books, use computers and use the building as a warm space.

What will the improvements be?

The ground floor will still be the main lending area in the library for children, young people and adults. There will be a new seating area where people can come and work and a place for small refreshments.

The first floor will become the ‘Idris Davies Community Learning Hub’. This is set to be a learning space with laptops, an interactive whiteboard and modern furniture. Three office spaces will also be available for private meetings and for people in the community to come in and use. 

Upgraded internet access and two electric vehicle charging points will be installed in the car park. 

Cllr Carol Andrews, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Communities, said: “The planned improvements will transform it into a flagship facility which incorporate[s] innovative flexible learning and spaces, offering a wealth of opportunities for residents.

“We thank residents for their cooperation and patience whilst the improvements are carried out.”

The whole library will close to the public in March for work to take place. It is expected to reopen in early summer.