The Norfolk Heritage Centre in Norwich is closing its doors from 27 April 2026 until mid-July 2026 as part of a significant refurbishment of the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library. The centre, located on the second floor of The Forum, is closing to the public during these works due to the sensitive nature of the collection, which cannot be safely moved.
The library is undergoing a £1.3 million upgrade to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Once finished, the space will feature a redesigned early years library, new areas for children and teenagers, increased study spaces, a bookshop-style entrance, improved accessibility with lower shelving, better lighting, and new furniture with built-in power points.
The Norfolk Heritage Centre holds over half a million items that document the history of the county, including maps spanning 500 years, the first book printed in Norwich from 1568, and a 13th-century manuscript known as the Norwich Apocalypse. Regular visitors who use the facility for family history research or to access resources like the British Newspaper Archive will need to make alternative plans while the collection is inaccessible.
Norfolk County Council has advised that library users should return borrowed items to other nearby branches during the closure period. A limited service for returning books will remain available at a temporary location within The Forum.
Residents can find further updates regarding the project on the Norfolk Heritage Centre Facebook page.
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