This is the first look at how Medway’s new archives building could look.

The former Strood Library, in Bryant Road, will get a fresh new look to become the Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre, while the Community Hall on the same site will also be refurbished.

The former library was replaced by the new community hub in Strood High Street earlier this year, despite protests from those that wanted it to remain.

But Medway Council are pressing ahead with their plans, and have now chosen a design for the archive centre from Clay Architecture’s design, after local architects were asked to submit ideas.

The windows will be removed to protect the historic documents inside from light damage, and will be replaced by billboard-style images of the fascinating material in the archive.

The council plans to appoint builders by the end of this year to carry out the work, which is expected to start early 2016, and it is hoped the new centre will be ready to open by spring 2017.

The current archives centre in the Civic Centre will be open for business as usual until the move.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “The artist impression of the new building really does give you a good idea of the transformation this building will go through.

“The centre will be a much more welcoming location where people can not only trace their family tree but also discover the fascinating history of Medway.”

Medway council says the Community Hub which replaced the library has proved popular, with 73,200 visits in its first five months - 13,000 more visits than the former library had in the same period last year.