Beaney Institute museum and library re-development
(Photo copyright of Canterbury City Council)
The Heritage Lottery Fund has allocated £6.5 million to the
project led by Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council to
conserve and enhance the late Victorian building, provide a brand
new extension, and transform the range and quality of displays and
services which it offers. Access will also be improved throughout
the building and a central glass lift will give people better
access to upper floors.
Notice of closure
The Beaney is now closed whilst the building is extended and
remodelled in an exciting transformation to provide a new cultural
hub for Canterbury.
Library and museum services will be transferred for the duration of
this work which is expected to last until Summer 2011.
There will be no access to the Beaney during the closure
period.
Library
Canterbury Library will continue to provide a lending service
from a temporary site at 35 Pound Lane, formerly known as Ede's
Garage, which will include:
- books for adults
- children's books
- books for teenagers
- computer facilities
- a selection of DVDs, CDs and Talking Books
- a small reference collection
 As well as continuing with our
regular Baby Bounce and Rhyme and Story Time sessions for
children, the library aims to run a varied programme of events
for all members of the community.
Whilst at the temporary site a FREE reservation service will be on
offer, waiving the current 25p charge and allowing access to the
wider Kent stock.
Access to the Local Studies Library will be improved with longer
opening hours through a temporary home with Kent County Council's
Canterbury
Cathedral Archives. Staff from the library will be working
together with Archives staff to provide a joint service. Due to
space, not all library material will be moved, but consultation
will ensure that the most requested items are available.
Partners will also be finding temporary relocation - the Credit
Union advisory sessions normally held in the library will move to
Canterbury Citizens Advice Bureau.
Museum
Collections will be transferred to the
Museum of Canterbury (this link opens in a new
window) in Stour Street where as many exhibits as possible will
continue to be on view. The Buffs collections have been transfered
to the National Army Museum for conservation work during the Beany
closure period.
For more details visit the
Canterbury Beaney website (this link opens in a
new window).
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