FOLLOWING a £362,000 facelift, a Hampshire Library is set to reopen signalling a “vibrant new chapter” for the local community.

A new modern look and feel is promised for Totton Library, which locals said had been forgotten about by Hampshire County Council.

But after leader Roy Perry promised a major refurbishment of the council-owned building earlier this year, the library is now set to reopen on June 11, following more than three months of work.

As part of the work, self-service kiosks and two meeting rooms have been added, with the additional availability of e-books and e-magazines.

Residents will also notice a modern look and feel to the library, thanks to the installation of new carpets, double glazed windows, a new boiler and updated furniture.

Culture, Recreation and Countryside cabinet member, councillor Andrew Gibson, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming customers through the doors, to see for themselves the results of the large investment we’ve made at Totton Library, turning it into a modern, vibrant facility for all of the community to access and enjoy.”

The works form part of the county council’s Library Strategy – and a commitment to reinvest £500,000 a year, from the Book and Resources Fund, until 2020, into library buildings and technology.

Cllr Perry said: “These new and refurbished facilities will bring the library right up to date – ensuring it’s modern, vibrant and fit for the future.

“It’s another example of our investment in buildings and technology to meet the changing demands of library customers.”

Totton councillor David Harrison, who has spent several years campaigning for the library to be upgraded, said: “I made the point to the council leader that of all the libraries in the county, ours seems to have been forgotten and was much the same as it was some 50 years ago.”