Middlesbrough Central Library reopens with upgraded digital offering

Middlesbrough Central Library reopened its doors in September 2025 after undergoing a £1.9m refurbishment following a successful bid to the Government’s Cultural Development Fund, with funding coming from the Arts Council, the Future High Streets Fund and Middlesbrough Council.

The grade II listed building closed in December 2023 for work to be carried out to improve facilities for staff and patrons. Originally opened in 1912, the library is a key part of the town’s cultural offering.

The refurbishment and improvement work included a full redesign of the ground floor to create a children's library with play areas and family facilities, a new ICT suite, new public and flexible event spaces, upgrades to the reference library, and restoration of period features.

Other key improvements include:

• New lift and accessible WCs

• Local / family history space

• New public PCs

• New wi-fi, power and data systems throughout the building

• USB connectivity, allowing customers to use their own devices

• New furniture, reception desks, shelving and book pods

• New signage

As a longstanding customer of Insight Media, Middlesbrough Libraries turned to us to support them in the improvement work, providing upgraded printing and wi-fi facilities.

Library members can now print direct from their own devices thanks to the iCAM Wireless Cloud Print solution which gives library users a seamless, easy-to-use facility, with the ability to print while in the library building.

With no need for separate log-ins, codes or even vouchers for collecting printing, library users simply log on to the new designated public wi-fi network using their Middlesbrough Libraries borrower number and PIN to submit their printing through the solution. The system is compatible with Android and Apple phones and tablets plus Windows laptops, MacBooks including Chrome Books, and allows printing of a range of document formats including photographs, web pages, and web-based email.

The new and upgraded public wi-fi offering ensures a reliable service for library staff and visitors. As more and more library users bring their own devices into libraries, this project enabled Middlesbrough Libraries to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose wi-fi and printing service to meet the demands of staff and library visitors.

The council's executive member for neighbourhoods, Ian Blades, said the library was "rightly seen as one of the jewels" in Middlesbrough's crown.

Blades said: "This fantastic refurbishment has given this wonderful building a whole new lease of life, while retaining the stunning features which keep people coming back throughout their lives. These improvements will stand it in good stead for the next century and beyond, helping future generations develop a life-long love of books and creativity."