Library to lose floor in revamp

GRIMSBY Central Library is set to undergo a £300,000 refurbishment aimed at extending the life of the 50-year-old facility.

North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet this week backed proposals to replace essential electrical and heating systems, whilst also reconfiguring the building to allow existing library services to be consolidated within the basement, ground floor and mezzanine floor.

The second floor of the library, which currently includes the gallery and community meeting room, would close if the plans get the go-ahead.

Council bosses say regular users of these spaces would be supported to find alternative locations, ideally within the branch library network or alternative council buildings.

The central library will be closed to the public whilst the work is being carried out.

The proposals will now be looked at by the council's tourism, leisure and culture scrutiny panel, before a final decision is made on whether to proceed with the revamp.

The Cabinet this week also proposed to carry out a feasibility study and public engagement and consultation into the future provision of library services across the whole area.

Council bosses say the proposed refurbishment will extend the life of the building and allow its use to be part of the consideration of the long-term future of the library service.

In December 2011, Cabinet approved a programme of essential repairs necessary to ensure the continued use of the building, but investigations by independent contractors last year confirmed that the original plan was no longer practical or cost-effective.

Councillor Mick Burnett, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and culture, said: "We have made a decision about the building based on value for money and looking after our library users.

"The building can't continue to operate as a library without significant investment in the infrastructure and we must also ensure it remains safe for our staff and the public to use.

"And in terms of the wider library provision, in the light of the continuing financial challenges, I believe we need to explore innovative solutions to ensure we retain a library service we can be proud of.

"To do that, we need to ask users and the wider community what they want and expect from the service and design it to reflect that within the resources we will have available in future.''