ONE of Suffolk's busiest libraries has closed its doors for a multi-million pound refurbishment and extension.

ONE of Suffolk's busiest libraries has closed its doors for a multi-million pound refurbishment and extension.

Bury St Edmunds Library, which has about 40,000 books, CDs and DVDs, will be shut for almost a year while workers carry out the �2.4m project.

The renovation is expected to take 32 weeks and involves a refitting of the inside, a new IT suite, a new government-funded children's centre, a new coffee shop and a Learning Employment Access Project centre, which is designed for adults to find training or work.

Lisa Elmer, western area library manager, said: “We're making sure we offer the best service we can during the closure.

“We're all very excited now work is starting; the builders were due on site on Monday so it will be then that we start to see things taking shape.

“It's the biggest project we've had in the area and I know it will definitely be worth it; the end result will be a totally refurbished library for the people of Bury.”

While the library is closed, residents will be able to access services at three temporary locations from the Shire Hall complex in Raingate Street, Friends Meeting House, in St John's Street, and a mobile library will visit the market squares on Mondays and Friday, between 9am and 5pm.