The National Youth Agency: My place

In this series we look at a range of generic and specialist youth facilities to encourage ambition and vision in support of Myplace bids, linking each to one of the programme's ten key principles.

High Street Library, Bolton

Key principle: Community cohesion - providing opportunities for young people to build relationships with others from different backgrounds and encouraging and improving intergenerational relationships.

The original High Street Library opened in 1888 and the basement was converted into a youth and community centre during the 1980s. Because of poor access this was demolished in 2006 and a fully accessible new library built on the site, opening in June 2007. The youth area of this had a publicity launch in 2007, featuring boxer and local celebrity Amir Khan. This dedicated youth area of the new library building includes the prototype of the national HeadSpace initiative - a programme to attract young people to read by providing spaces where they can relax and have a drink while they read, surf the net and meet their friends. Two community rooms on the first floor are available for use by a range of community groups and agencies. The project has won three awards relating to diversity and community cohesion - the Museums Libraries and Archives Council North West Award for helping to create inclusive and diverse communities; a BoltonDiversity Award; and a North West Employers' Association Equality and Diversity Award.