The New Woolston Library
2016 saw a number of libraries in Southampton close or cease to be council run but for the residents of Woolston it was different story. Their long awaited new library in opened in August in part of the new Centenary Quay complex (on the former Vosper Thornycroft ship building site.
The new library is a bright, new, modern space, with multiple small seating areas and an almost separate children’s section.
In ad
dition to loads of books, seating, play spaces and computers, there are regular weekly activities for children, including ‘Storytime’ on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30am, ‘Toddler Time’ on Wednesdays, 2:15 – 3pm, ‘Sing Along and Stamp your Feet’ on Fridays 2:15 – 3pm and ‘Baby Rhyme and Sign’ on Saturdays 11:00 – 11:30am.
There is plenty for adults too, with an even larger range of books, lots of computers for both internet and book search use. The library also has new self check out desk so that me means the staff have more time to help you.
Activities for the adults include five monthly bookgroups: Woolston Book Group (2nd Wednesday evening), Mid-Day Murder Club (1st Monday), 2nd Edition Book Group (1st Wednesday evening), YA Book Group (2nd Tuesday) and the Novel Bunch (3rd Wednesday). Plus knitting groups on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning, a quiz corner on Monday afternoon and adult colouring on Friday morning.
The library also has a large community room.
Details of the library opening times and all the activities can be found on the Southampton City Council Website.
The New Woolston Library is easy to find, on the junction of John Thornycroft Roadand Victoria Road, just beyond the end of the shops. There is some nearby on street parking nearby and disabled bay outside, with car parks in the centre of Woolston. Woolston is well served by buses with a stop for No 11 First Bus just outside the library.
If you haven’t visited Woolston in a while you may be pleasantly surprised by the recent changes, with new shops including a big branch of Lidl opening in February 2017 and of course there is always Williamson’s Haberdashery for all your crafting supplies.