A NEW improved library for a York village will open its doors so its public can see its fresh face for the first time on Monday.

A major refurbishment has increased the size of Strensall Library, modernised its facilities and improved access.

City of York Council's housing and leisure services teams joined forces with Yorkshire Housing last year in a £130,000 project to transform the library, a scheme which involved modernising the ground floor library facilities, and providing two affordable flats for local people on the building's first floor. The library will stock books, audio books, CDs, children's videos and children's story tapes.

It will also house two new public access computers offering internet access, which will be free of charge to library members for up to two hours a day. Sue Clarke, customer services manager for the council's library service, said: "The library has been transformed. We're looking forward to welcoming our first visitors."

The library will open between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Mondays, 2pm and 5pm on Tuesdays, 10am and 12.30pm on Thursdays, 2pm and 5pm on Fridays, and 10am and 12.30pm on Saturdays.

Updated: 11:06 Saturday, March 29, 2003