Library undergoes £75,000 ‘digital transformation’ — now has one extra plug socket

Colchester Library has proudly unveiled its long-awaited ‘digital transformation’, bringing it firmly into the 21st century with the installation of a brand-new plug socket.

The ambitious project, which reportedly took 18 months of consultation, three feasibility studies, and a £75,000 budget, was officially completed last Tuesday. Library visitors can now enjoy a second option for charging their devices, in addition to the pre-existing socket that has been in use since 1998.

“We are committed to making the library a modern, forward-thinking hub of digital excellence,” said library spokesperson Karen. “This new plug socket represents a bold step into the future and underlines our commitment to embracing technology in an ever-changing world.”

"A technological revolution"

According to library officials, the addition of the extra socket is just the first phase of an ambitious digital strategy, which also includes plans to replace one of the fluorescent ceiling lights with an ‘energy-efficient’ LED bulb sometime in 2026.

“We looked at what the community needed most,” Karen explained, “and after extensive research, we determined that what people really want is an additional place to charge their phones and laptops. This upgrade ensures that two visitors—yes, two—can now charge their devices at the same time. That’s double the efficiency of before.”

The transformation hasn’t come without controversy, however. Some library-goers have raised concerns about the placement of the new socket, which is inconveniently located just behind a fixed bookcase containing 18 volumes of the 1992 Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Local student Josh, 19, who frequently uses the library to work on assignments, voiced his frustration. “It’s great that they finally added another socket, but it’s basically unusable unless you have a ten-metre charging cable,” he said.

Funding and priorities

Critics have also questioned how the library managed to spend £75,000 on a single socket installation. A spokesperson for Colchester City Council explained that a large portion of the budget was spent on “planning, safety assessments, and ensuring that the plug socket aligned with our long-term digital vision.”

“It’s important we get these things right,” they added. “We had to bring in a team of consultants to determine the most suitable location, an architect to ensure it complemented the existing aesthetic of the library, and a PR team to let people know about this major enhancement.”

Some of the funding was also reportedly allocated to a ceremonial ‘Switching On’ event, attended by the mayor and local dignitaries, during which a ribbon was cut and a library volunteer plugged in a phone charger to demonstrate the socket’s full capabilities.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, the library has even bigger plans for technological advancement. Future developments may include public computers that run something newer than Windows 98 and a WiFi connection that can handle more than three users at a time.

Despite the mixed reactions, library officials remain optimistic. “This is just the beginning,” Karen assured. “We’re embracing the digital revolution—one plug socket at a time.”

Have you managed to use Colchester Library’s new plug socket? If so, please email the council to let them know—it will count as part of their ‘community engagement’ statistics.