A grade-II listed library currently under refurbishment will become a “hub of activity” for Leytonstone when it opens next year.

Work on Leytonstone Library in Church Lane started on Monday, as part of Waltham Forest council’s £5million upgrade of library facilities across the borough.

Lorna Lee, head of cultural and community services at Waltham Forest council gave a presentation yesterday on the plans at the community forum meeting at St John’s Church Hall, in High Road, Leytonstone.

The library will hold 19,000 books, the same amount as did before, but the number of computers will be increased from 31 to 42 and the council will invest in a "vastly improved Wi-Fi".

It will remain closed until September next year and in the meantime, St John’s Church hall will be open on Fridays from 10am to 12pm, and Saturdays 10.30am to 12pm, to return books.

Books can also be ordered online and collected from the hall at these times.

Mrs Lee said: “It will be a real hub of activity for a wide range of societies and groups.

"The rooms will be flexible and easily turned into a theatre space for productions or a hall for yoga classes.

"Technology will also be greatly improved with the introduction of state-of-the-art self-service machines.

“Despite this there will be the same amount of staff, the thinking being they are freed up to be able to engage with the public.

"Architecturally I would have to say it is my favourite library in the borough and I am delighted to show how we are improving it for people, without changes to the fabric of the structure of the actual building itself."