Government Minister Ed Vaizey dropped into Deal library at the weekend to mark National Library Day.

The minister for culture, communications and creative industries and chose the recently refurbished library, in Broad Street.

In 2011 the library was given a £645,000 refit, including a seating area with coffee machine, district council help desk, rooms which can be used by community groups and an area for children’s books and computers.

Mr Vaizey said: “It is important libraries remain relevant.

“A lot of children use these to do their homework and a lot of adults regard libraries as a safe place.

“It is a great space,” said MP, Charlie Elphicke, who also went along with the minister.

“The refurbishments are a showcase of what libraries will be like in the future.”

Now council services are available from libraries, and registrations of births and deaths can be recorded as well.

Cath Anley, head of libraries, registration and archives at Kent County Council, believes this is a successful way of encouraging use of a central public resource.

“Every child has to use a library in terms of registration, and when they leave every child receives a library pack,” she said.

“Registration is working really well for us.”

To see the full two page spread, pick up a copy of the East Kent Mercury, out on Thursday.