Two Coventry libraries could be on the move

TWO Coventry libraries could move due to the poor condition of the buildings.

Coventry City Council is considering options for Canley Library on Prior Deram Walk, and Coundon Library on Moseley Avenue.

Both buildings are said to be in poor condition, and the authority has said options include revamping the sites or moving altogether.

Revealing the idea at an education scrutiny board on Thursday, January 9, head of service for libraries Peter Barnett said: “Those are two of the spaces we occupy where the building is perhaps not in as good a condition as we would like.

“We are thinking about what innovative options there could be to continue provision in those localities but also deliver differently and at best cost.

“The buildings are really at the end of their realistic lifespan and need to be replaced or recommissioned.

“We have various different ideas about that, particularly at how we might co-locate some services together.”

Scrutiny member Cllr Christine Thomas called for assurances that this is “very seriously looked at”.

She said: “All of our areas deserve the same quality of service and environment and we should take whatever measures are necessary to make sure that these two areas get a decent building.”

Libraries in Coventry have taken a hit in recent years as a result of budget reductions.

Cuts of £319,000 per year from 2019 until 2024 were backed last year, which came on top of the £1.4m of savings already achieved since 2015/16, which resulted in some libraries being run by volunteers, despite protest.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked if the moving of Canley and Coundon libraries would result in any further budget reductions, but a council spokesman said the options had not yet been explored.

He said no further library budget reductions have been proposed for 2020/21.

He added: “We are considering different ways of delivering library services across the city.

“In Canley and Coundon’s case this includes consideration of redevelopment of the current sites or alternative local sites because of the condition of the buildings. This work is ongoing.

“We have no plans to close or reduce library provision in any part of the city. Should the council develop such plans these would be subject to full public consultation and engagement.”

Both libraries are among the nine ‘partnership libraries.’

In 2018/19, Canley had 18,578 visitors and Coundon had 39,684.