A school library that was closed for 18 months has finally reopened its doors — and has become a “magical” haven for dozens of book-loving students.

The room at Shirebrook Academy has been given a new lease of life following the appointment of school librarian and reading champion Bethany Shaw.

What had become a temporary classroom is now a welcoming reading space, thanks to bean bags, soft-coloured lighting and newly-stocked bookshelves.

Bethany, who previously worked as a lighting, sound and video technician at Nottingham Playhouse, says students from across the school are taking full advantage, with many who sought solace in reading during lockdown enjoying finding new books and stories to explore.

She said: “I’m a huge reader myself and that’s been a blessing for me, especially when I was furloughed during lockdown. I was never without a book in my hand.

“I know that many students read a lot during lockdown too and that many of them have come back to school wanting to read more.

“We get about 30 to 40 students in the library every lunchtime, which is wonderful. They can come in here to relax, read and talk if they want — it’s not the kind of library where we go round telling everyone to be quiet all the time!”

One student enjoying the library, 11-year-old Erin Watkinson, said: “I do a lot of reading and so the library is a magical and happy place to be for me.

“I only joined the school last year and I found it hard when there wasn’t anywhere like this to relax during break-time, so it’s really nice to be able to come here.”

Kaley Macis-Riley, head of English and whole school literacy lead, added: “It’s fantastic to see how, after all Bethany’s hard work, the school library is open again and that students have wasted no time in making full use of it.”

TOP: From left, Year Seven student Erin Watkinson, librarian and reading champion Bethany Shaw; Kaley Macis-Riley, head of English and whole school literacy lead; and Year Seven student Harley Bown in the school’s reopened library.