Refurbished Manningham Library aims to bring nature to area

Manningham Library was one of only six libraries in the country to get funding from Natural England for its Culture Nature project – which aims to turn libraries into “thriving hubs for nature enthusiasts.”

The library now has new graphics of local green areas and parkland, such as nearby Lister Park, as well as details of how visitors can best access nature.

The new look Manningham Library (Image: Newsquest)

It is one of a number of changes that the library has undergone since it closed for refurbishment.

As well as essential repairs to the ceiling, the library was given an extensive refurbishment.

As well as the Natural England funding, Manningham Library is one of 10 libraries across the Bradford district benefiting from projects supported using public funding by Arts Council England under its Libraries Improvement Fund.

Manningham Library (Image: Newsquest)

The funding has provided new shelving and the installation of a small meeting room, a large digital screen and new equipment for the large meeting room. This will enable increased use of the library for meetings and events of all kinds, which Bradford Council believes will help increase footfall and income.

The Library Service has been able to use additional capital funding from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – cash provided by developers to improve local infrastructure and facilities, to enable a complete refurbishment of the adult’s area.

The children's area in the refurbished Manningham Library (Image: Newsquest)

It has also funded the installation of new interactive sensory space in the children’s library.

The new decor is inspired by the Culture Nature project, and included graphics of local parkland and nature-inspired colours.

The new sensory space for all children has the potential to help specific library users with motor skill delay, autism and other support needs so that they may experience the library more comfortably.

The children's sensory area in the library (Image: Newsquest)

Tactile wall panels, soft seating areas and access to mark making sequin frames will all be part of the new space along with a giant wall caterpillar to encourage tactile, visual and auditory stimulation. New bookshelves in the shape of daisies and leaves will complement the nature theme.

Christine May, Head of Libraries and Archives at Bradford Council, said: “Manningham Library is a much loved and well used community facility, and it is great to see it refreshed and given even more potential for community use both during and outside of library opening hours.

One of the refurbished areas of the library (Image: Newsquest)

“Shelving can be moved aside to enable larger events to take place, and local organisations are invited to make use of the new small meeting room for all kinds of small meetings and drop-in sessions.”