Book lovers, rejoice. To mark its centenary year, Dartford’s cherished Central Library will be treated to a substantial restoration project.

Kent County Council (KCC) have pledged £650,000 to redecorate the building, along with new flooring, furniture, doorways and facilities.

A collection of historic local pictures will also be displayed throughout the library and the Peter Blake Gallery will make a return for local art exhibitions.

KCC promise that the project will celebrate the library’s history and heritage, integrating it more fully with the neighbouring museum thanks to the restoration of original doorways connecting the two buildings.

The council’s cabinet member for community services, Mike Hill, said: “We have listened to the local community and are investing in this iconic building in the centre of Dartford to ensure that we conserve it and make it attractive and welcoming to the next generation of library users and local community groups.

“Dartford Library deserves to be loved for the wonderful old building it is and, to be fair to KCC, they understood that straightaway and have really got behind the project.” - Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite.

“The new proposals will be on display in the library in the near future so that everyone can see the plan.”

The plan also includes a brand new room created from previously inaccessible storage areas. Dubbed the Centenary Room, it will be used for birth and death registrations.

Leader of Dartford council Jeremy Kite is looking forward to seeing the building restored to its former glory later this year.

“I’m very pleased with the new plans and it is to the credit of KCC that they listened to the concerns that we and many local people expressed about the original proposals,” he said.

“Dartford Library deserves to be loved for the wonderful old building it is and, to be fair to KCC, they understood that straightaway and have really got behind the project.”

The work is expected to take around four months to complete. In the meantime, library services will temporarily move to the nearby Acacia Sports Centre.