Between modernity and tradition, the future cultural center of Villefranche-de-Rouergue opened its doors before its opening to the public on March 25.
While the latest works and developments are continuing, the cultural center named “La Manufacture” has opened its doors to the press to discover this future place of meeting, exchange, reading but not only.
Called “La Manufacture” in reference to the history of the place, the cultural center which will open its doors on March 25 at Place Bernard Lhez runs over 1,500 m2. The structure asserts itself on the one hand in an exceptional heritage setting, the legacy of an urban palace that has evolved into an industrial building and on the other hand as a tool at the service of the municipal cultural and social project. You will find services such as the library and the sound space where the jazz collection will be showcased, but also new features such as the toy library, the teen space dedicated to virtual reality and the exhibition hall.
Wifi, new technologies such as augmented reality helmets or screens and computers will be available to users. The building is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
La Bazz… The ground floor of the cultural center will host a video and music section with the jazz collection, listening posts and virtual headphones to immerse yourself in concerts. The toy library will also be present as well as an independent room that can accommodate around forty people.
On the first floor, the hall of honor will host the youth area with an entertainment area next door.
Still on the first floor, a room will be dedicated to homework and studies. Next to it, a “machine” room for all the computers.
The second floor will be dedicated to adults and teenagers with all the collections of novels, documentation… A reading corner will also be present as well as a post for the visually impaired.
A teenager’s corner is planned with augmented reality headsets to offer young people what they don’t have at home.
Finally, on the top floor, a room that can accommodate 150 people, the Soleilo will be the place for exhibitions, mediations, promotion of associations…
A clearance sale for the closing of the library
The current library and nightclub, rue du Sénéchal, close their doors this Saturday, February 25 at 4:30 p.m. During this month of closure of the service, the period will be used by the team to install the collections (60,000 references representing approximately 2 linear km of shelving in public access or in the reserves), and to prepare the reception of the public in the best conditions. Another date to remember, Saturday March 18, where a clearance sale open to all is organized by the staff of the media library, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. non-stop in the premises of the current library rue du Sénéchal. The latest documents withdrawn from the funds will be offered for sale: novels, documentaries, fine books, magazines and CDs for adults and children. At very attractive prices: €1 per document, €3 for 5 documents.
The manufacture in figures
-Cost of the development operation of the building and the forecourt: 5,997,439 euros. Funding: Feder: 2,350,000 euros; Drac (State): €1,641,494; West Aveyron Community: 429,222 euros; Region: €63,583; Villefranche: €1,199,488.
-Added to this is the cost of furniture, IT, collection, handicap accessibility for a total amount of 456,059 euros financed by the City with the help of the State, OAC, and the Department.
-1717 m2 of fitted surface on 3 levels.
-2 linear km of references (1 km in consultation, 1 km in reserve).
-60,000 references including 15,000 CDs and 2,500 DVDs.
– A team of 11 agents assigned to various dedicated spaces with the mission of supporting users.