Hythe library reopens for half-term holiday eight days after car ploughed through its wall

HYTHE library has reopened for this week’s half-term holiday eight days after a car crashed into it, causing extensive damage.

The public is once again able to use the Hampshire County Council-run facility off New Road from today (Monday).

As reported in the A&T, an Audi’s two occupants escaped serious injury after it ploughed through one of the walls shortly after 11am on Sunday, scattering shelves, books and chairs.

Despite managing to get themselves out of the vehicle, they were trapped inside the locked building and had to be rescued by firefighters.

Paramedics assessed them both at the scene, but neither needed to be taken to hospital.

The library remained closed throughout last week as council workers assessed the damage which mainly affected the adult section.

But its reopening was announced in a post on the Hampshire Libraries Twitter account, featuring an image from inside showing the damaged section boarded off.

“We are so pleased to confirm that Hythe library will safely reopen on Monday 25th October, in time for a busy half term, and just a week after considerable damage was caused to the building,” the tweet said.

The news was welcomed by Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected.

She tweeted: “That’s an amazing achievement to get this library up and running again in a few short days!”

The library is open 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday.