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New children's library opens in Jersey after refit

BBC Inside Jersey's Children's Library. It is nautical themed, there is a lighthouse and sea creatures painted on the walls. An orange arm chair is in the back corner, and the bookshelves are shaped like boats. A porthole in the middle of one of the bookshelves says 'welcome aboard'.BBC
The new space in Jersey Library has been designed to "anticipate ever reader's requirements"

A children's library in Jersey has reopened after an extensive 18-month transformation process.

The new space in Jersey Library has been designed to "anticipate every reader's requirements", the government said.

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, attended the opening of the space after the refit had been completed in December 2024.

The minister also cut the ribbon on a new mobile library, which aims to take books to outside events including school playgrounds, homes and community venues.

Seven teddy bears sit at a table in Jersey Children's Library. The table is white and the chairs are yellow. Bookshelves with a nautical theme line the walls behind them.
Chief librarian Ed Jewell said the newly-completed nautical-themed children's library was "appealing to all ages"

The consultation process to develop the space began in August 2023, with the library seeking the views of both children and adults.

Chief librarian Ed Jewell said: "We were really fortunate to work with some great designers who have designed libraries across the British Isles and they were looking at what works well locally.

"Of course, in Jersey, they said we need to go with the sea.

"There's sea animals across the walls, a beautiful lighthouse in our special reading area and throughout the library we have boats filled with books."

Inside Jersey's Children's Library. It is nautical themed, there is a lighthouse and sea creatures painted on the walls. An orange arm chair is in the back corner, and the bookshelves are shaped like boats. There is a mat on the floor with the letters of the alphabet around the outside. The windows of the library have been frosted to look like waves.
The revamped area will be running events for babies, toddlers and children

The library also includes a sensory area, a feeding chair, and "clouds" hanging from the ceiling which act as acoustic mufflers to reduce noise.

Mr Jewell said the library had "more books in now than we did before".

"We're here to engage children in reading but also to develop those literacy and language skills," he added.

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