Knaresborough primary school celebrates opening of £30,000 refurbished library to inspire young readers

Aspin Park Academy officially unveiled its transformed learning resource centre after a £30,000 refurbishment, with Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon performing the ribbon-cutting honours.

The project was made possible through a partnership between the Elevate Multi-Academy Trust school, its Parent Teacher Association, Knaresborough Rotary and Knaresborough Town Council.

New flooring, fixtures, fittings and décor have transformed the space into a bright and welcoming environment, giving pupils an inspiring place to read and develop a love of books.

Emma Meadus, Headteacher at Aspin Park Academy, said: "Our Parent Teacher Association is amazing and always likes to tackle a big project to make the maximum impact, which motivates people to help.

"The library was past its best and really needed doing.

"It's also a concern that young people don't enjoy reading so much anymore because of the distraction of digital devices and being online.

"So we thought by having a space children really wanted to be in this would encourage them to read there and at home and what we have now is wonderful."

Speaking at the opening, Mr Gordon said: "This is such a fantastic space – reading is such a lovely way to learn and grow.

"I remember nagging my mother so we could go and buy the next Harry Potter."

Carla Greenwood, chair of the Parent Teacher Association, said the £30,000 fundraising target had initially seemed daunting, but support from the local community had helped make the project a reality.

She said: "Children deserve a nice place and somewhere they can feel proud of that is part of the Knaresborough community.

"Local businesses and parents all got stuck in too and the result is brilliant."

Mrs Greenwood said the Parent Teacher Association had secured grants from Knaresborough Rotary and Knaresborough Town Council before raising the remaining funds through a variety of fundraising events.

Former Knaresborough Rotary president Deborah Wilson said the organisation's contribution came from a £1 million legacy left to the Rotary for good causes.

She said: "A lot of Rotarians are avid readers and we like schemes like this one.

"I have always loved a school library and what they have done here is lovely, brilliant."

Shan Oakes, Mayor of Knaresborough, said: "This is such a lovely library.

"To me, reading is really important, so well done to everyone involved in this project."

Town councillor Andy Bell added: "Reading lets people be transported to another world which doesn't happen on digital devices.

"It improves language skills and their ability to access information.

"The new library is right in the centre of classrooms and looks fantastic."

The refurbished library has already proved a hit with pupils.

Aurora, nine, a fan of Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney, said: "The library is incredible, I love it.

"I'm a big fan of reading what other people have worked hard to write and I enjoy using my imagination."

Her classmate Amelia, also nine, who enjoys books by Roald Dahl, added: "It's amazing and I can't wait to use it.

"I love picturing characters in my mind when I read and love to read in my spare time."