Refurbishment of library building starts as part of 'smart skills' project

IMPROVEMENTS now under way at the Cornerstone Library in St Ives are part of a new “smart skills” project.

- CORNISHMAN REPORTER

The initial phase of work on the building on Gabriel Street will focus on refurbishing the first floor.

The central floor space will continue to house nonfiction and art books, but changes will be made to the rooms and other spaces, including the old IT suite and the Greta Williams Room, dedicated to community use, to create more flexible and attractive facilities for activities, events, private study and learning.

The town council says its main aim is to provide better facilities and equipment for a new “smart skills” project which will involve its partner organisations, educators and trainers and be designed to increase opportunities for local people to get access to a programme of training, learning and development.

Public-access computer facilities will be improved with laptops, videoconferencing screens, printing and fast fibre available to support people wanting to study in person or online.

The council says a programme of courses and training is being developed, combining technical and informal learning sessions, with the aim of: