LAHORE: The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has announced plans to reopen the British Council Library in Lahore in 2014. This was announced during a visit to the British Council offices in Lahore where Hague met Punjab based teachers and trainers engaged in the British Council’s Punjab Education and English Language Initiative.

This decision comes after significant demand from the public to provide much needed a space where they can learn in a conducive environment and engage with others, along with having access to books.

The British Council Lahore library had long been considered a cultural and intellectual fixture in the life of Lahoris and was widely missed when it closed.

The British Council Lahore library will also have digital material for researchers and the library space shall also be used for public art exhibitions, meetings, lectures and trainings.

“I am pleased to announce that the British Council will be reopening its library to the public once again in 2014. The library will represent the 21st Century, providing access to books, digital resources, online research materials and cultural events,” Hague stated.

It was also stated that more libraries in other cities in Punjab may be added later on. The British Council will also be opening a Cultural Space in Karachi next year to help with bringing together Pakistan’s brightest and most creative minds.