WORK has officially started on a major revamp at a community-run library in Berkeley.

The old library building near Berkeley Primary School will be completely transformed and redeveloped as part of the project. 

Its current building was originally installed as a temporary building in 1977 and has repeatedly been described as unfit for purpose. 

As part of the plans, a new community centre will also be built - the town currently doesn’t have one. 

The library is run entirely by trustees and volunteers from charity Berkeley Books which took over running the site from Gloucestershire County Council in 2012. 

Treasurer and trustee Eugene Camper said: “We have at last started to build the new library behind the existing building. 

“When that is finished we will demolish the old building and build phase two which will turn it into a library and community centre/hub.”

Berkeley Books trustee Eugene Camper (left) with Talus Construction contractors  (Image: Simon Camper) Building started with the arrival of Talus Construction on Monday, September 30. 

A planning application was submitted to Stroud District Council in November last year and was later approved in February. 

Work will be completed in two phases to ensure that library services and opening hours are not disrupted.

During the first phase, a new building will be built behind the old library and everything will be moved into the new building. 

Berkeley Community Library will be demolished and rebuilt as part of the project (Image: Berkeley Community Library / Google Maps)

After this the old library itself will be demolished. 

During the second phase, a second building will be built which will be a community centre with a kitchen and a meeting room area. 

Once work is completed, the new library will serve as a new community centre for Berkeley, as currently the town doesn’t have one. 

All pictures by Simon Camper / Lumen Photography.

(Image: Simon Camper) (Image: Simon Camper)