DJ workshops, dancing, live music and art activities will all be on offer – free of charge – to celebrate the reopening of 2 local libraries and the Dominion Centre after a revamp.

Acton and Northolt libraries, along with the Southall Dominion Centre closed at the end of last year to undergo a £900,000 transformation.

The libraries are now ready to open and show off their new features. These include flexible spaces for hire, and community hubs to use for cultural events, performances and meetings.

Other changes include a new pop-up stage, upgraded technology and new study areas. There are now also mobile bookshelves at all 3 libraries that can be moved around to allow for the rooms to be used in multiple ways. Some of the furniture and the stage has been produced by local makers at the Park Royal Open Workshop, which the council supports.

The Dominion Centre has also been upgraded with a refreshed foyer, a new meeting room and an expanded customer service point for users to get information on council services.

‘Vibrant and inviting places’

The improvements were funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, allocated to Ealing Council by the government.

Council leader Peter Mason said: “Libraries are vital in fostering a lifelong love of reading and this will always be at the heart of our service. But we want them to be vibrant and inviting places that offer so much more than books. Which is why we’ve have made a significant investment in them at a time when some boroughs are making difficult decisions to reduce their library services. We’ve created community hubs at these two libraries and the Dominion Centre, where residents of all ages can enjoy music, drama and other performances, learn new skills, study and meet new people.”

Blerina Hashani, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “Our vision is for our libraries to evolve to meet their community’s needs and become dynamic, multi-use spaces which encourage cultural enrichment and the promotion of community connections. We want communities to have a say in what they want from their libraries, which is why we asked library users for their ideas when designing these improvements.

“We’re excited for everyone to go along and see our libraries’ fresh new look and enjoy all the performances, workshops and other activities as we celebrate their reopening. They’ll give a flavour of the many new ways which are libraries can be used in the future.”

What’s on?

Acton Library – events on 2, 3 and 5 April

• Wednesday 2 April – official launch ceremony from 12:30pm with a dance and exercise workshop by the Japanese Music and Dance Hobby Group, poetry performances, calligraphy workshops art and information on IT and English classes provided by ACDA Skills
• Saturday 5 April – activities from midday include storytelling from 12pm, film screenings, music and open mic sessions, a media training workshop and a cultural exhibition presented by the Ealing Culture Team

Northolt Library – events on 2, 3 and 5 April

• Wednesday 2 April – Film screenings and panel discussion with Ealing Film Festival from 12pm, Theatre performance and workshop with Impact Theatre and Live Music and Open Mic as part of the Northolt Talent Show
• Thursday 3 April – 1pm to 2pm: Official launch ceremony and afternoon activities including a chair exercise and wellbeing class and art and dance workshops
• Saturday 5 April – Between 1pm and 4:30pm performances from the Steel Pan Trust, a theatre performance by Gunnersbury Park Museum, dance workshop with Elevate Dance Group and a creative workshop

Southall Library at the Dominion Centre – events on 1, 2 and 5 April

• Tuesday 1 April– midday official reopening followed by activities until 4:30pm including a block printing and embroidery workshop, an art workshop and talk about the Martinware collection, film screenings and a DJ workshop with Westside Radio
• Wednesday 2 April – 3pm to 6pm: Library and Foyer – Jonathan Oates – local history talk and guided Martinware walk around Southall
• Saturday 5 April – Activities from midday to 5pm include poetry performances, live music with Julianne Gazzingan, Hindh, Rita Morar and Mehms, art, embroidery, DJ and Bhangra dance workshops and a film screening and talk on the film Home

For full details of all the activities visit the council’s website.