The new concept for the library – with the help of a £32,000 grant from the Scottish Government Incentive Fund for Libraries – is to provide a more reader-centred environment with improvements to space, layout, signage, displays, reading promotions and activities, with further initiatives such as a Reader Development Policy, Library web-pages for readers and staff training also planned.

On entering the building when it reopens users will immediately see changes to shelving, book displays and furniture, as well as a new welcome desk, making the facility even more comfortable and user-friendly for members of the public.

Talking about the changes Western Isles Council, Principal Officer for Cultural and Information Services, Trish Botten explains: "The aim is for the customer to enjoy and linger in a more relaxed and interesting area, sample new types of reading, participate in activities and share reading experiences.

"The new circulation desk will provide a welcoming customer advice area. Innovative use of table top displays and promotional materials will extend the reading experience throughout the library and bring alive other areas to new readers and visitors, for example local studies and non-fiction."

She continued: "The new Reader Development Policy will include guidelines for the acquisition of stock to meet the expressed needs of customers, as well as a rationale for the development of reading activities.

"The idea is to pilot short sharp displays of new materials (including partnerships with the BBC and others) as part of a 'display and exchange' programme of stock between libraries in order to constantly expose readers to new stock."

For more on this feature see the Stornoway Gazette, out on Thursday, January 21.