New chapter for library

Mar 2 2006 By James Cartledge, Birmingham Mail

A MULTI-million pound library and college campus opens its doors next week.

The £3 million Castle Vale Community and College Library will be open for business from 9am on Monday.

Based at a new development called Spitfire House, owned and managed by Erdington-based Josiah Mason College, the library will occupy the ground floor with space for up to 200 adult and teenage students above.

The development, which took around a year to build, will be the college's first purpose-built campus at Castle Vale. It will offer full and part-time courses for adults and A-level classes for school leavers.

Visitors to the library will be able to use one of 25 computers offering free internet access.

Other features include dedicated study zones, a children's library with a homework area and a coffee bar. Council leisure services boss, Coun John Alden, hailed the opening of the site as "great news for Castle Vale".

"This will be a tremendous facility for people of all ages," he said. "It is a much-needed leisure and learning resource."

Spitfire House will also provide office space for several community groups including Castle Vale Tenants and Residents Alliance, a credit union and a neighbourhood advice and information service.

It will be officially opened on March 11 by former Erdington MP, Robin Corbett, who is now Lord Corbett of Castle Vale.