The new public library is located in a prominent town centre site next to the River Nene. It incorporates the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and other community facilities. The siting of the library allows views towards the town and brings the public park into the town centre with a landscaped garden inspired by artist Chris Drury. The excavated earth from the building provided raw material for this garden, which recalls the nearby Iron Age encampment at Stonea. This innovative building is one of the few libraries owned by Cambridgeshire County Council to be passively ventilated. The building was shortlisted for the first ever Prime Minister's Award for Better Public Building 2001, which recognises excellence in design, construction, financial management of the project and the relationship it has to its surroundings. No.10 Downing Street said "The flexibility and visually stunning design... combined to make it a strong contender for the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award".