Guernsey Press

Children’s Library refurb is complete

THE final section of the refurbishment of the Guille-Alles Children’s Library has been completed ahead of the official opening on Thursday.

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The final section of the Guille-Alles Children’s Library refurb has been completed ahead of the official opening on Thursday. Left to right are Children’s Librarian Cornelia James, project architect and director of CCD Architects Oliver Westgarth, chief librarian Laura Milligan, and Ian Bloese of the Trustee of the Guille Alles Library. (23264689)

Funded by a £15,000 donation from the Ana Leaf Foundation the ‘Tree of Knowledge and Reading Circle’ is the library’s centre piece designed to provide a new and creative space for children to get excited about reading. The structure will provide a fun, magical area for children to engage with books and take part in story times and other activities. Officially called ‘The Ana Leaf Tree of Knowledge and Reading Circle’, it aims to have a lasting legacy within the local community for years to come. It was designed by project architect and director of CCD Architects, Oliver Westgarth and his team. The tree has been built by inmates of Les Nicolles Prison and the bench has been assembled by R&D de Jersey.

As part of a major fundraising campaign £156,000 [for the whole project] has been raised thanks to donations from major benefactors and the general public.

Guille-Alles chief librarian Laura Milligan, said: she was overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community: ‘Our target for the project was £120,000 and the fact that this amount has been exceeded is absolutely fantastic. Educational research has shown that reading for pleasure increases children’s academic achievement and social mobility. Libraries can literally change children’s lives.’

The Ana Leaf Foundation supports a number of charities, education and community projects throughout the Channel Islands. Trustee, Hayley de Putron said the foundation was keen to support a local project which will have a lasting legacy on the island’s future generations: ‘We are proud to be supporting this community initiative and hope it will encourage children to continue learning and reading outside of the classroom,’ she said.

The refurbished library will be officially opened by The Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas, at a private reception.