Library to get major makeover (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Library to get major makeover

CIRENCESTER Library is to be given a £1.3 million refurbishment.

Gloucestershire County Council says it wants to give a complete makeover to the town centre facility, which lends 166,000 books, videos DVDs and CDs a year.

And the move will see a section of the facility turned into a internet cafe, the introduction of plasma screens, and new books and media being made available.

Deryck Nash, who represents Cirencester South on the county council, said: "Cirencester Library is a well used and much appreciated local facility and I am delighted that these much needed improvements are to go ahead.

"My colleague, Cllr Margaret Edney (the council's other Cirencester member), and I are very much aware of the pressures on the county council's capital resources and are grateful that funds are to be made available for this work."

The current library was built in 1975 by the Bingham Trustees and is leased to the county council.

Other changes will include replacing the current entrance, lift and staircase as well as all the furniture and fittings.

There will be additional computers, interactive facilities for children and the introduction of a self use service for customers, who will no longer have to wait.

The council will appoint consultants to manage the project and design the changes.

Temporary library accommodation will be provided in the town while the work is undertaken.

It is hoped the project will be completed by 2007/8.

Jeremy Hilton, the county council's portfolio holder for Community Services, said: "As part of the council's aim to make Gloucestershire a better place to live, learn and work, we are constantly looking to improve library facilities for everybody.

"With new libraries also planned for Dursley and Longlevens we are investing not only in buildings but in the future of local people throughout the county.

"Libraries should be modern, inviting spaces where people can relax, study and come together as a community. The estimated £1.3m cost of this refurbishment will achieve this for Cirencester and give the people for the town the library they deserve."

* The announcement of the refurbishment comes as the threat of job losses looms over the Library Service.

Some 300 staff have been told the service is being restructured and, although council chiefs say most people will be given new positions, some posts are likely to be lost.