Investment to help improve town’s old libraries to fit in with modern facility

CASH HAS been pledged to improve libraries dating back to the 1960s to prevent them being overshadowed by a prestigious new facility.

Barnsley Council has announced plans to invest in four of the oldest libraries in the town as construction on a new central library and community building progresses.

‘Modest’ spending will see the interiors of the venues altered to create more flexible floor space.

The changes aim to reflect the varying uses of libraries, with the number of books loaned continuing to fall but visitor numbers increasing.

They will allow the space to be more easily used by community groups.

The announcement comes as the authority launches three months of consultation about the future of its whole library services. It is proposing to reduce staffing hours at some of the buildings as part of plans to save £160,000.

The venues could still be available for the community use outside public opening times through a ‘trusted key-holder’ scheme, allowing groups and organisations to access them.

Wendy Lowder, the council’s executive director for communities, said: “We will suggest when we think the available staffed hours should be but will offer the opportunity to state alternatives and set out the rationale as to why.”

The consultation, which launches on June 21, will be available online at the council’s website, with paper copies in library branches.