Market Harborough Library and Harborough Museum Development
Questions & Answers
1. Where will the reference section be? Will there be a much room for all
book stock as in the old library?

The general reference material will be with the adult books section.
The local studies reference books will be in the local studies area. We
are working with the designer to make sure there is enough shelving
for all the book stock.
2. I notice that the plans show six 'work tables' in a corner of the library. I
sometimes use the library to work, and I do not find the proposed plan
appealing. While I think it is good to have work tables in a quiet area,
the positioning seems squashed. Also, there is no source of daylight.
People who use the work tables might be sat at them for several hours,
studying or writing. I think the conditions for such users should be
made more comfortable.

We are working with the designer to look at where the work/study
tables will be so that they are not squashed and there is good light.
The whole space will benefit from removal of the low ceilings and the
original windows open to full height. We will continue to look at different
places for the study tables to be.
3. I hope you can display as much, if not more as before.

We are working with the designer to make the best use of the space so
that we can display as much as possible. We plan to display more
museum artefacts than previously.
4. The museum space looks quite small, will there be space for other
things e.g. Symingtons collection

We are still working on the themes for the new museum displays, this
includes Symington products including foundation garments.
5. Will people still be able to bring in objects for identification by museum
staff?

Yes, you will still be able to leave items for museums staff to look at, as
before this may involve items being sent away to experts elsewhere in
the county.
6. Will there be staff able to advise on aspects of local history?

We know this is a very important part of what we do and we are looking
at how best to provide this service when we re-open.
7. What is happening to the photographic archive previously held at the
museum?

The images will continue to be available, and we are looking at ways of
making this easier for people to access.
8. Longer opening hours on Saturdays, please. Couldn’t find the museum
opening times, if they are similar to previous ones, it should be ok. The
opening times must reflect the times that people want to use the
museum, could we start with extended opening times, monitor use, and
then adjust, close when there are few visitors and open when there are
lots?

Opening hours have not yet been decided. Any changes will take into
account customer needs.
9. My mother cannot use the stairs and hates lifts, so the main entrance
must be inviting and open, with the lift not stuck in a corner as an
afterthought.

There are two lifts available to the public. One next to the main public
stairs and another larger lift near customer services. Both will be
available to the public during open hours. The refurbishment will
create a large public entrance or atrium which includes a stair case to
the first floor. There will be a reception in the entrance to help
everyone using the building.
10. It would be great if Teenage Reading Group could be reactivated.

Encouraging young people to read is a very important part of what we
do, we will consider re-starting the group if there is sufficient interest.
11. story times, visits by authors, computer workshops, Family History
workshops, re-enactment activities, local history workshops/talks

staff are developing a programme of activities and events which will
take place throughout the year. Thank you for your suggestions.
12. Will it be open in time to celebrate the 2014 WW1, celebrations?

The refurbished museum and library should be open early in 2014.
Leicestershire Museums and Libraries are planning events to
commemorate the start of World War One.
13. Celebrations of historic events that affect the town. Art, from local
people, music (local people, linked to historic events). Events for
children, make it a place they find relaxing, interesting and above all
events that make young people want to come back.

Staff are developing a programme of activities and events throughout
the year. Thank you for your suggestions.
14. Are there to be toilets? There should be. I haven't seen any toilets,
either. I hope you don't intend to use the room next to the work tables. I
think that would be quite disruptive for the people working there. Toilets
must be on the same level, but why cant they be unisex and all
wheelchair friendly?

There will be customer toilets on the ground floor and first floor of the
refurbished building, these will include adapted and accessible
facilities.
15. I am also wondering where staff will have their desks within and
beyond the actual library space. Why are there no staff facilities? I
know many libraries, and it is always good to have at least one
dedicated room where staff can work away from the public. However,
this room should be close to the main library, not on a different floor as
seems to be planned here. Or are there no plans for such a room? I
think that would be unwise.

Staff office accommodation will be on the second floor. There will be a
small office for staff on the first floor. The first floor will be a public area
with the focus on library, museum and adult learning resources.

We are looking at new ways of working to make use of the resources
we have.
16. All important, will we have free wifi?

Yes.
17. I think putting the children's space in such a central area is a mistake. It
will lead to younger children being shushed a lot, so the library will
seem less fun. On the other hand, even if the children and their carers
manage to keep down their normal noise levels, locating the children's
space in such a central spot will cause some disturbance. Why not put
the children's space in one end of the library, so there is maximum
quietness in other parts while children can be themselves?

A key part of the project vision is to encourage children’s reading and
participation in cultural activities as this is shown to substantially
improve children’s attainment at school. Teachers and parents who
work with us say that they very much appreciate children being
encouraged to use the main library and museum for their visits. It is a
key selling point for school visits that the children are not kept out of
the way in another room, and that their visit includes learning how to
behave in a museum and library.

Museums and libraries are community spaces and therefore we don’t
expect silence from our users. Encouraging community pride,
encouraging visitors to the town and local area, encouraging
participation in cultural activities are all key parts of the project. We do
this by encouraging all people to use our spaces.

A key objective for the project is to develop an exciting and welcoming
space for children. The proposed design will also create a space for
children to be.

Study areas are included in the plans, where possible these are away
from areas which may be noisier.
18. Another very expensive plan. Why do you need consultants to plan a
library when all you require are shelves to display the books available
and a few chairs for people to review the books they may want to
borrow.

We are using a specialist museum designer so that we meet the
project’s vision and objectives and make best use of the space
available. Museums and libraries which use specialist contractors to
design their spaces see a dramatic increase in their use and in
particular from people who haven’t used them before.

There are many regulations which control what we can do, for example
building regulations, health and safety practice, environmental controls,
which all need to be included in the plans.

The first floor space needs to accommodate a variety of services and
resources (not just books and chairs) and we need to make sure we do
this in the best way possible.
19. Why is Harborough Museum closed?

Harborough Museum is located in the Harborough District Council
offices and the council is refurbishing the whole building. The extent of
the works means the whole building was handed over to the main
contractor in January 2013. The whole building is now a construction
site and it will not be safe for people or artefacts to remain in the
building.
20. Where is Harborough Museum going?

It will not be possible to re-open Harborough Museum during 2013 in
another location. Staff will be working on preparing for re-installing the
new displays for 2014. The museum artefacts will be kept in temporary
storage to museum standards, unfortunately access will be restricted
during this time.
21. What’s happening to the Hallaton Treasure?

Key finds from the Hallaton Treasure will form part of a special
exhibition of Treasures from Leicestershire at Snibston, open from 23rd
March until 3rd November 2013. The rest of the finds will be in storage.
22. Will the Museum come back?

Yes, Harborough Museum is a key part of the Business Plan for the
refurbishment works to the whole building.
23. Will the Hallaton Treasure come back?

Yes, the Hallaton Treasure finds and displays will return to Harborough
Museum when the refurbishment works are complete.
24. What will the new museum and library look like?

The first floor of the council offices will become a shared cultural space,
combining the library, museum and adult learning services, alongside
the Registry Office.

There will be shared and equal access for all visitors to the front of the
building from Adam and Eve Street. There will be a public lift to the first
floor, and customer toilets including an adapted facility and baby
change.

Concept sketches are available on the website
www.leics.gov.uk/marketharboroughlibrary and
www.leics.gov.uk/harboroughmuseum
25. Who will answer my enquiries while the museum is closed?

Unfortunately the scale of work required during the period of closure
means we won’t be able to answer enquiries in the usual way.

For local history information please contact the Record Office.
The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland
Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicester, LE18 2AH
Telephone: 0116 257 1080. Email: recordoffice@leics.gov.uk

For information about the Leicestershire museum collections, including
the Hallaton Treasure and the Symington collection of corsets, please
contact the
Collections Resources Centre
Telephone : 01509 815514, E-mail : museums@leics.gov.uk