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Maidstone's new library
is ready for readers

A new home for thousands of books and
historical documents will open on Shakespeare’s birthday today.

The multi-million pounds building in
James Whatman Way, Maidstone, will contain more than eight miles of
documents and some 40,000 books.

It will replace the Centre for Kentish
Studies and the East Kent Archive Centre, as well as the central
library in Springfield, Maidstone, and Maidstone Library, which was
in St Faiths Street.

The first 50 people through the door
today, from 9am, were due to get a goody bag for children and there
will be gifts for the first babies registered there.

Also during the day, cuddly Library
Lion and Bookstart Bear will be in Week Street, Maidstone, to meet
the public, and there will also be members of the Dickens Society
in costume out and about in the town, before heading to the
centre.

Visitors will be able to see
exhibitions, displays and face painting and children’s activities
throughout the day, with an official opening at 2pm.