Southend to get new multi-million pound public library (UK)

An Essex town is to get a new multi-million pound public library and learning centre. The £27m building in Southend will replace the town's existing Central Library and be built on the site of the former Farringdon car park. The four-storey structure, to be called The Forum, will be funded by Southend Borough Council, the University of Essex and South Essex College. The Conservative-led council approved the plans on Wednesday. The main contractors on the project will be announced in January 2012 and the library is expected to be completed by August 2013