A SCHOOL in Bournemouth has launched its new refurbished library which will open once a month to support residents as a community hub.

The libary at The Epiphany School in Shillingstone Drive, Muscliff, was opened by award-winning author Maz Evans on Monday, October 3.

The new library is in response to the government’s plan to get more children reading and making access to books easier for deprived families.

Book shop owner Paul Angel of Westbourne Bookshop provided books for the library.

The school’s reading ambassadors, the school council and volunteers who give up their time to hear the children read attended the opening event, with year six pupil Harry Trenchard and friend playing the piano.

Headteacher Vanessa Webster said: “We have invited two local pre-schools and a local care home to have access to the library once a month, putting reading at the centre of the community in which their children live.

"Their aim is to become a school known for having reading at its heart, so the library is an imperative part of this aim. We strongly believe that reading is the best tool we can give our children.

"Research shows that reading for pleasure is the single most important indicator of a child’s future success and it is even linked to a higher life expectancy.

"Renovating our library so it is a more inviting space housed to a range of new and high quality texts is imperative to our promotion of reading for pleasure and creating a generation of readers.”

Author Maz, Famous, who wrote best-selling Who Let The Gods Out and VI Spy, said: “This isn’t just a library, this is a portal to absolutely anywhere.

"I believe everyone can come to reading. It’s finding the right key to doing it.

"It is with enormous pride and honour that I declare the Epiphany School library open.”