Posted on: Thursday 27 March 2025
This week, a group of young library members got a sneak peek of the newly refurbished Cwmbran Library, ahead of it reopening to the public on Monday.
Nearly half a million pounds has been invested into the library, with £300,000 coming from the Welsh Government Transformation Capital Grant and an additional £127,000 from Torfaen Council.
This significant investment has resulted in a modern makeover, featuring a brighter, improved layout and better arrangement of book stock.
The reconfiguration of the existing space has increased opportunities for agile working and study, with the addition of a new teenage library.
A new library lounge has been incorporated, featuring informal seating and planting, along with a Hublet tablet lending service to enable the use of the library’s free e-resources, magazines, and photocopying facilities.
It also boasts more study and desk space, better facilities for customers to use their own devices on-site, and an improved health and well-being area.
Millie Day, aged 14, said: "The comfortable cubby is a good place to study and read books. We like how this area is enclosed and away from the rest of the library."
Dominika Wiaduch, aged 17, said: "There are a great variety of resources and communal spaces available for students that want to use the PCs and the wide range of facilities."
Cwmbran Library is open every; Monday and Tuesday from 9am – 5:30pm, Thursday 8:45am – 7pm and Friday, 8:45am to 6pm. It’s also open on Saturdays from 8.45am-1pm.
Torfaen Libraries Manager, Stephanie Morgan, said “Libraries serve many purposes, whether its hubs for lifelong learning, public engagement, or for personal growth. These new improvements modernise the space while preserving its welcoming and accessible nature.”
“The new furniture and digital facilities certainly enhance the customer experience, and we hope to attract even more visitors as a result.”
Other improvements include movable shelving to enhance the library floor space for larger-scale activities and events, and a newly designated advice and information area for onsite partner organisations, further enhancing the library’s role as a community hub.
The investment follows previous Welsh Government funding in Pontypool and Blaenavon Libraries, with £300,000 allocated to Pontypool Library in 2011 and £100,000 provided when Blaenavon Library was moved into the World Heritage Centre in 2015.
The Cwmbran Library renovation is part of wider plans to improve Gwent House over the next couple of years, ensuring that the community continues to benefit from modern, accessible, and welcoming spaces.