PUPILS, staff and dignitaries found themselves on the same page as they officially opened a newly refurbished library designed to boost readers’ learning experience.
Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon performed the honours at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the town’s Aspin Park Academy after a £30,000 transformation of the learning resource centre.
The major overhaul was the result of a joint initiative involving the Elevate Multi-Academy Trust school, the Parent Teacher Association, Rotary and the Town Council.
New fixtures, flooring and fittings, interior design and décor have transformed the area into a stimulating, welcoming environment in which children can develop their love of reading books.
Headteacher Emma Meadus said: “Our PTA is amazing and always likes to tackle a big project to make the maximum impact, which motivates people to help.
“The library was past its best and really needed doing. It’s also a concern that young people don’t enjoy reading so much anymore because of the distraction of digital devices and being online. So we thought by having a space children really wanted to be in this would encourage them to read there and at home and what we have now is wonderful.”
Mr Gordon said: “This is such a fantastic space. Reading is such a lovely way to learn and grow. I remember nagging my mother so we could go and buy the next Harry Potter.”
PTA chair Carla Greenwood said the total had been daunting at first but everyone had risen to the challenge and they had successfully secured two grants, from Rotary and the Town Council, then topped up the total with a variety of fundraising events.
“Children deserve a nice place, somewhere they can feel proud of, that is part of the Knaresborough community,” she said. “Local businesses and parents all got stuck in too and the result is brilliant.”
Former Rotary president Deborah Wilson said their grant was from a £1m legacy left to Rotary for good causes.
“A lot of Rotarians are avid readers and we like schemes like this one,” she said. “I have always loved a school library and what they have done here is lovely, brilliant.”
Knaresborough mayor Shan Oakes said: “This is such a lovely library. To me, reading is really important, so well done to everyone involved in this project.”
Town councillor Andy Bell added: “Reading lets people be transported to another world which doesn’t happen on digital devices. It improves language skills and their ability to access information. The new library is right in the centre of classrooms and looks fantastic.”
The new facility has been met with unanimous approval by pupils. Aurora, nine, a fan of Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney, said: “The library is incredible, I love it. I’m a big fan of reading what other people have worked hard to write and I enjoy using my imagination.”
Classmate Amelia, also nine, a Roald Dahl fan, added: “It’s amazing and I can’t wait to use it. I love picturing characters in my mind when I read and love to read in my spare time.”