Our Work

Library Design Case Studies

Every library is different. From Grade II* listed buildings to the smallest library in Wales — see how we’ve tackled each challenge and the results we’ve delivered.

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Heritage buildings New buildings Library Makerspace Workspace & business support Health & wellbeing Integrating digital offers Large libraries Small libraries Browsing & choosing Young people Children & families Spaces to linger Local studies Council contact and advice Help desks Leaflet display Library shop RFID self-service housing

Browse Design Gallery by theme

Sale Library Trafford

Opening the Book brought the library from the back to take centre stage in the atrium. Loans increased by over 20% in the first 11 weeks.

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Oldham Library and Gallery Shop

A complex project in a beautiful and busy building to bring a complete refresh and easier navigation.

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The smallest library in Wales?

Fitting everything into small spaces while keeping flexibility for community use is key to small library design.

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Birtley & Blaydon Libraries

A complete makeover for two busy libraries, including fun reading hideout features for children.

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City Central Library, Stoke-on-Trent

Ingenious designs create a surprising capacity in this jewel of a city centre library.

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Music Library and BIPC Leeds

Opening the Book is helping to transform the Grade II* listed Central Library with designs to support contemporary services in a historic building.

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Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library

A transformation using Opening the Book's discovery layout concept – new sightlines, dynamic flow and zoned spaces that achieved a 99% positive response from th…

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Tunstall Library

Opening the Book designed a new library to fit into the ballroom of the beautifully restored Town Hall.

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Chinnor Library

Human-centred design transforms a village library into a friendly, welcoming, and comfortable space that feels both exciting and approachable.

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Danum Gallery : Library:Museum

Opening the Book was excited to work with Doncaster MBC in creating the new Danum centre, bringing together the Central Library, the Museum and the Art Gallery…

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Llanrwst Library Design Case Study

Conwy CBC had an opportunity to provide a new community hub for rural Conwy when the building which had been the Glasdir Business and Conference Centre in Llanr…

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Gateshead Archive

Opening the Book refurbished Gateshead Central Lending Library, including children’s and young adult areas, in 2009 so we were delighted to return to complete t…

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Gateshead Central Library MakerPlace

At Gateshead, Opening the Book created a successful MakerPlace in their existing Sound Gallery. 

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Leeds City Council Story Buses

This was a first for Opening the Book and gave us an opportunity to explore how we could bring the same aesthetic of integrating books and play that we bring to…

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Lichfield Library at St Mary’s Centre

Opening the Book first visited St Mary’s Church, Lichfield, in 2016 to consider the feasibility of the library being part of a larger refurbishment project.

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Werneth High School

Werneth School in Stockport moved to a new purpose-built home on the school site. How could all the successful library activities be fitted into a smaller space…

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Kingham Hill School

Transforming the old chapel in a 19th century school into a contemporary, practical library was an exciting challenge for our design team.

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Southwater One Library

Opening the Book was first appointed by Mace to work with the architects, structural engineers, project managers, landscape architects, mechanical and electrica…

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Redbridge Central Library

Opening the Book was contracted to deliver an interior design which made the space lighter and brighter, implemented a successful transition from staff-led coun…

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Risca Palace Library

The new Library and Customer Service Centre at Risca is built as a modern extension behind the restored façade of the old Palace Cinema which had been derelict…

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Nottingham Trent University

The 4th floor of Boots Library is the most heavily used computer space in the university. The brief was to raise the quality of the student experience while mai…

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Thame Library

The first new library built in the County for 20 years meant expectations were high at Thame for the library service and politicians as well as the local commun…

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Also in Library Design

Space Design

Library Space Planning

Evidence-based layouts shaped by customer flow research and creative zoning.

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Design Service

Library Interior Design

Colours, graphics, signage and ambience that create distinctive, welcoming spaces.

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Visual Portfolio

Library Design Gallery

Browse our project photography by theme — browsing displays, children's areas, seating and more.

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Planning a library project?

Whether it's a new build, refurbishment, or co-location — we'd love to hear about your project and how we can help.

Start a conversation → or ☎ Call 01977 602188