Buzz builds as The Hive nears completion

Buy photos » A glimpse inside the children's library which will be one of the biggest in the country. Pictures by Nick Hands 0512024NHR15. Order this picture at www.buyphotos247.com

ITS golden exterior has divided opinion with some branding it an eyesore on the city's skyline.

But once you step inside Worcester's new £60million history and library centre there is no disputing what an exceptional centre of learning The Hive promises to be.

With just five months to go until its official opening on July 2, the Worcester Standard was given access to the four storey building, which is expected to attract one million visitors every year from across the country.

At the moment the shelves are still bare but soon they will be filled with 275,000 books as project partners the University of Worcester and the county council merge their resources.

The council has splashed out £750,000 to double its stock of books and there will also be 260 computers in quiet and social study areas scattered throughout the building, along with free Wi-Fi.

The ground floor will house one of the largest children's libraries in the UK including wet play areas for craft activities, a big screen, a quiet room called the Oasis and Story Island, where children can sit and read in the sunshine.

The second floor will be occupied by the county records office and history centre, with floor three housing the public library and the top level a quite study area with rooftop views across the city.

Other features of the building include a café, performing arts studio, small business centre and seminar rooms.

Outside the landscaped areas surrounding The Hive are beginning to take shape, including a nature trail for young visitors.

Kathy Kirk, the county council's library services manager, said they expected The Hive to become a destination for the whole family and people of all ages to enjoy.

Historical artefacts will be displayed throughout the building and The Hive is also hoping to attract top touring exhibitions as well as famous names from children's writing and illustration.

Anne Hannaford, the university's director of information and learning services, said the centre represented fantastic value for money with the library open from 8.30am to 10pm seven days a week.

"It will be open for more than 95 hours a week - that's almost double the hours of the current public library," she added.

The Archaeology Service and county records office will be the first to move into the building in the next few weeks.

A number of preview events for schools, businesses and residents are being organised over the next few months ahead of the official opening and more details will appear in the Standard.