The new Huddersfield Library Hub has an incredible 41,594 books but the new library is about so much more than books. And it looks pretty cool too!

The library isn’t going to be a quiet space in the traditional sense and people are being invited in for all kinds of different activities.

The library hub is effectively a glass-fronted extension to the former Queensgate Market building.

The upstairs research and local studies section – which has a textile theme reflecting Huddersfield’s history – enjoys great views of the stunning market hall roof and also the new Queensgate Square outside and Castle Hill to the rear.

Downstairs there’s a children’s library, a teens’ area and a MakerSpace which will focus on teaching people woodworking skills. It has specialist equipment such as CNC machines and 3D printers with trained staff on hand to help and advise.

Use of the machines is free and great for anyone setting up a business or starting a new hobby.

There’s a large meeting room with kitchen facilities – which is offered free to community groups – and there’s free wi-fi for everyone, device charging points and quiet study zones where you can take your laptop and work for free.

There’s more than 20 free-to-use public access PCs equipped with accessibility and translation tools.

There’s meeting rooms named after local literary personalities including Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, author David Peace and poet Kim Moore.

Mags Rogerson, who heads up the council’s library service, said of the new library hub: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I’m really excited for the space that’s going to allow such flexibility for members of the public and we’ve got something for everybody.

“We’re not going to be a library where there’s a lot of shhh-ushing. There’s lots of spaces that will be really creative and noisy and allow children to thrive.

“I love that we’ve got a dedicated teen area. I think it’s really important to encourage teenagers to come in and use the facility for whatever they might want to, particularly around accessing technology for free.

“The whole building has free wi-fi for anybody. You can come and use your own device or you can use one of our free public access PCs.

“It’s a very creative building and we’ve got our MakerSpace which is very much going to be focused around woodwork and hard materials. We’ve got CNC machines and 3D printers.

“It’s still under development but it’s very exciting, really different and unusual.”

There will also be health and creative wellbeing sessions with everything from stop smoking sessions to seated tap dancing.

“The possibilities are endless,” said Mags.

Clr Pip Harvey, Cabinet member for place, culture and volunteering, said: “I love the new library. It’s a welcoming, inviting, safe, creative space that’s great for Huddersfield and great for our community.

“Books are integral but the new library hub is about so much more than books. There are some amazing spaces from the children’s library – my 19-month-old son will absolutely love it – to the MakerSpace which encourages everyone to learn new skills, embracing everything that makes us creative.

“The library hub will change people’s perceptions of what a library should be.”

The new library hub opens at 9.30am on Monday September 21 and there’s a programme of free activities throughout next week.

The celebrations will culminate in a special opening weekend on Saturday and Sunday September 26 and 27 when both the library hub and Queensgate Square will come alive with entertainment, creativity and family-friendly fun.

On Saturday, activities include Lego Club, Chess Club, Knit and Natter, a family Library Adventures Trail and demonstrations in the MakerSpace.

Across both Saturday and Sunday, Queensgate Square will host live music, arts and crafts, interactive workshops, community art activities, traditional games and a range of food and drink vendors.