New library layout

Dinas Powys library is being renovated: a building project partly funded by the European Union through Members of the Welsh Assembly Government. The layout of the building is being changed to ensure a sustainable future for the community library, which must now generate a significant monthly income to stay operational. Therefore, the new plans incorporate, amongst other things, a small coffee shop, a new multi-use function room, energy-efficiency LED lighting, new flooring and decoration.

Today's photographs show the first of the new internal walls going in, and a peak at the latest building plans!

Temporary library opens in Bethesda Chapel

From today until Saturday 13 April 2019, Dinas Powys library will operate its usual opening hours at a temporary location in nearby Bethesda Chapel.

In the first photo, church worker Matthew Lewis and Keith Hatton (Library Trustee and Re-building project Sponsor/Manager) stand by the banner outside the Chapel. Other photos show inside the temporary library (turn right inside the entrance), and finally the chapel and the library in the same shot.

We're gutted!

Work starts to refurbish Dinas Powys Library & Activity Centre.

Day 1, and we're gutted! Our old counter area has gone.
Before and after:

Precision Construction have wasted no time getting started:

Library remodelling Day 1

Dinas Powys Library and Activity Centre (Diplac) is now closed for its remodelling. The library will be temporarily housed at nearby Bethesda Chapel from Mon 4 March to Sat 13 April. The remodelled library is scheduled to re-open on Monday 29 April 2019. Today, the books were being put into crates for moving across the road to Bethesda Chapel, and the contractors Precision Construction visited the site. In this first photo, from left to right, are Trustee/Treasurer Clare Richardson, Keith Hatton (Trustee and Re-building Project Sponsor/Manager), Calvin McLaggon (Business & Development Manager for Precision Construction, who are doing the work) and Trustee and DiPLAC chairperson Chris Franks.

Here are a few before shots as the library is emptied in preparation for the work. Follow the progess here over the following weeks.

Dinas Powys Library & Activity Centre to be refurbished

Dinas Powys Library & Activity Centre will close for refurbishments at midday on Saturday 23 Feb 2019. The library will temporarily re-open in nearby Bethesda Chapel on Monday 4 March, until Saturday 13 April. Thursday Coffee Morning (10.30-11.30 am), LEGO club on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, & Tuesdays pre-school Storytime (2.30-3 pm) will continue at the temporary site. The remodelled library is scheduled to re-open on Monday 29 April 2019. This blog will follow the work as the volunteer-run community library in Dinas Powys remodels itself for a sustainable future, including the addition of a function room and a coffee shop, better to fulfill its new long-term role serving the local community.

Dinas Powys Library meets with local artist-in-residence

Trustees from the Dinas Powys Library & Activity Centre (DiPLAC) have met with Dinas Powys artist-in-residence Thomas Goddard, to discuss how he can work with the Community Library.

Waterstones Homes have commissioned Thomas Goddard to work with the Dinas Powys community, as their contribution to public art for transforming the former Ardwyn House children’s home into their Chapters residential development. This fulfils a Section 106 agreement between the housing developer and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Thomas Goddard is a Cardiff-based artist with a range of skills, including photography, graphic design, filmmaking and performance, that could help community organisations such as the library realise projects over the coming year.

In introducing himself at the library, Thomas said he had 12 years’ experience in arts and education, and was commissioned through Studio/Response to deliver public art in a social-community way rather than as one grand public art statement.

“The nature of the public art, which could cover anything from physical sculptures and building design, to the development of community facilities and events, will be determined through a series of creative activities that will gather the thoughts of local people on how the area can be improved,” says Thomas Goddard on his website (www.thomas-goddard.com).

The DiPLAC Trustees suggested a number of possible projects where the artist’s experience could provide a valuable input, from redesigning the library layout and noticeboards, to producing fundraising cards, website design and a short film. Watch this space!

Left to right: Clare Richardson, Joan Andrews, Keith Hatton, Chris Franks, Thomas Goddard, Jon Cowpe, and Mary-Anne Marsden.

Dinas Powys Library announces logo competition winner

Dinas Powys Library & Activity Centre (DiPLAC) has a new logo, thanks to a competition organised with local schools.

Rianna Mitchell of Dinas Powys Primary School won the first prize and a digitised version of her design is now being used on all the library’s publicity material.

Barbara Daniels, Sue Williams, Keith Hatton and Don Clarey, members of the volunteer-run community library in Dinas Powys, announced the competition last November. They judged the entries and presented the awards at an assembly at the Murch Junior School on 22 March.

“We were very impressed with the standard of entries,” said Mr Hatton, a Trustee of the library. “In decision-making, we had to strictly rely on the guidelines we set about shape, lettering, colours and readability.”

Gabriella Operanta and Dylan Lingham-Gollop, both of Dinas Powys Primary School, won second and third prize, respectively. All the winners were presented with vouchers and certificates.

The digital version of Rianna’s logo was produced by Danny Daniels, a pupil of Stanwell School in Penarth, as part of his Welsh Baccalaureate 'Community Project' with the library.

You can view a display of the winning and highly recommended entries in the DiPLAC lobby.

The new DiPLAC logo.

Trustee Keith Hatton presents Rianna Mitchell with her award.

Trustees Barbara Daniels, Sue Williams, Keith Hatton and Don Clarey in front of entries on display in the DiPLAC foyer.