Following the official opening of the Enfield Town library building today, by former poet laureate Andrew Motion, we take a look at some of the library's vital statistics:

Cost of renovation: £5m

Duration: 18 months

Architects: Shepheard Epstein Hunter

Environmental features: A £200,000 ground source heat pump, which uses bore holes drilled a hundred metres below the ground, supplies 70 per cent of the energy required to heat and ventilate the building.

The system works by pumping water stored in tanks in the roof down into boreholes 100 metres below the ground. The water is then sent back into the roof. The technology allows heat to be released in the winter while producing a cooling effect in the summer.

The architects say the system should pay for itself within ten years.

Notable discoveries: The preparation of the ground for the heating system revealed six trenches with concrete sides and a roof, constructed in 1938 as air defences.

Last November, a fox clambered onto the roof scavenging for pigeons. Feathers were later found.

Concept: Mr Hufton said the building was intended to foster a sense of “civic pride.” He said: “It’s more like a bookshop than a traditional library”, with a “shop window” at the entrance to let in more light

History: The Edwardian building dates back to 1912, and was originally designed to be part of a civic square which was to have a council office fronting the main road. The library entrance was thus placed at the rear of the building.

Resources: The library has 17,000 adult books, 12,000 children’s and teenage books and 6,000 CDs and DVDs, and 60 computers.