A MAJOR revamp of York Central Library, which will leave it closed until next year will begin on October 31.

The library will close at 10.30pm on Hallowe’en and reopen in about four months, after a £540,000 refurbishment, which will see it rebranded as an Explore Centre.

Officials at City of York Council said the facelift will make the library more modern and appealing. It will have more books, new learning rooms, a quiet room, a café, purpose-built disabled toilets, self-service issue machines and an ICT learning centre with wireless internet throughout.

Fiona Williams, the council’s head of libraries and heritage, said: “Since it was established in 1893, York Library Service has undergone a number of exciting changes, and this is just the latest.

“We understand that it may be inconvenient for residents during this transformation period, but we ask for everyone’s understanding and patience during this time, as we believe the new library learning centre will provide a world-class 21st century library service that everyone in York will be able to benefit from and enjoy.”

The library will become the city’s third Explore centre, following similar revamps at Acomb and New Earswick.

Between now and the closure day, library customers can borrow as many books as they want to avoid disappointment once it closes.

During the closure, the reference section and its specialist staff will be relocated to the Acomb and Tang Hall libraries, from November 16.

Books and other materials can be returned to other local libraries or Explore centres, or kept throughout the duration of the closure.

Opening times will be extended at Clifton, Acomb, Huntington and New Earswick and the mobile library will be parked in the city centre every Saturday during the closure. For more information or to request certain books to be transferred to other libraries during the closure, email sarah.garbacz@york.gov.uk

Customers are also being invited to a special Hallowe’en event on the Saturday night, with storytelling and free hot chocolate.