A state-of-the-art library could be up and running in Silver End by the end of the year.

The village library is currently one of the county's smallest and is run from a room in the village hall rented from Braintree Council.

But the library is about to be moved to the former doctor's surgery on the Broadway - two years after the plans were first mooted. To get the village more involved with the project, library bosses even consulted residents over the preferred colour scheme of the new building - with green being the chosen decor.

Assistant district manager for library services in the Braintree area Stephen Sullivan said: "We are really looking forward to pushing for something that is vastly different and much better than Silver End has at present.

"Facilities and space are so restricted at the current site. This will be a whole new era for the library service in Silver End."

Essex County Libraries' ELAN computer system will be installed, providing an instant link with the rest of the county's library system.

This will allow users access to the whole county book catalogue, with the facility to reserve books and order them in from other libraries.

The spacious new premises will have three times the floor space of the current library - making room for more books, videos, audio books and a dedicated children's area which Mr Sullivan said was much needed.

"Every year Essex Library hold the Big Summer Read for schoolchildren during their holiday.

"This is very well supported in Silver End and last year we had such a large number of children that we could not fit them all in."

Mr Sullivan is hopeful work will begin on renovating the new premises within the next month, with the possibility of moving in during the summer.

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