moveman Do It By The Book!

Reaching the top shelf in a library to get the book you want can be hard enough, but imagine the difficulties faced by wheelchair users in accessing the upper floors. For a library in Burnley, this is no longer a problem, thanks to platform lift supplier, movemanSKG.

The recent £100,000 renovation of Colne Road Library, to coincide with its 80th birthday, included a platform lift to improve access for disabled users. The lift, a Companion Prestige, travels from the ground to the first floor, where the computer suite and reading room are situated. With fire resistant doors and an emergency telephone, the lift also has optional features of emergency battery back up in case of power failure, and Designated User Control (DUC) - a key system to prevent unauthorised use.

Librarian Christine Sollis is full of praise for what she describes as a 'pristine installation'. "Our library plays a vital role in the local community, so it is extremely important that it can be accessed by people of all abilities. The new movemanSKG platform lift has played a major part in this renovation project, and looks fantastic as well as significantly improving disabled access. We hope that the refurbishment will encourage more people to visit the library and make use of all the services on offer."

As well as the new platform lift, disabled toilets were installed, and new lighting and carpets fitted, to create a more spacious and welcoming area. The library was re-opened for public use in December 2004, in an official ceremony attended by 50 guests, including Lancashire County Councillor, Marcus Johnstone. Ann Holdsworth, a borrower at the library for 44 years, cut the ribbon during the celebrations, which included a buffet lunch in the reading room.

For more information about movemanSKG and its full range of products visit www.movemanskg.co.uk