THE newly-refurbished Hexham Library has received a welcome addition to its facilities for local and family history researchers.

A new, state-of-the-art digital microfilm scanner has been installed to enable fast and efficient viewing and printing from the treasure trove of microfilms in the library’s collection.

Visitors can search for information on their family history through the pages of the Hexham Courant or local parish registers and add the results to their own research online or in printed form.

The new equipment has been purchased by Northumberland County Council.

County councillor Cath Homer, cabinet member for culture, art, tourism and leisure, said: “We know that local and family history is very popular in our libraries and we want to ensure we provide the best possible experience for our customers by providing attractive and well-equipped facilities. We are confident that history enthusiasts in the Hexham area will greatly benefit from this new addition.”

Members of Hexham’s thriving local history community make good use of the vast research facilities at Hexham Library and are delighted that the older equipment has been upgraded.

Mark Benjamin, one of the members of Hexham Local History Society, said: “This new equipment will enable researchers to speedily find and copy material without the need to laboriously print out and transcribe their findings into their own files.”