Investment plan for libraries – but some face closure
MAKE ELLAND A COMMUNITY HUB
AROUND £2 million is set to be invested in Calderdale libraries, while other village libraries will face closure unless community solutions can be found, largely due to the buildings being unfit for purpose.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the funding and changes to the way services are delivered at a number of libraries when it meets at Halifax Town Hall on Monday, September 2.
Proposals for changes were first considered by scrutiny boards last autumn and have been raised by ward councillors at full council.
Funding will include a major £1.5m refurbishment of Elland Library, which will also become a major community hub for the town with a range of services based there.
Todmorden Library will see essential roof repairs costing £240,000 carried out, following completion of some structural work earlier this year.
And later this year work is set to begin on a new library in Mixenden as part of a larger community complex, though papers do not specify a cost for this element at this stage.
There are also plans to improve accessibility and refurbish gardens at Rastrick Library in partnership with the Friends of Rastrick Library, and relocating Mytholmroyd Library into the newly renovated station building to provide modern facilities and extend opening hours is a possibility.
The council’s budget requires it to also make some savings from library services and restructuring will save around £80,000.
Last autumn’s review identified a number of buildings in a severe state of disrepair due to age or vandalism and it is likely Bailiff Bridge and Walsden libraries will close unless community led-solutions are found quickly, and the future of Beechwood Road Library at Illingworth is also being reviewed.
Cabinet member for public services and communities, Clr Susan Press, said: “Unlike many local authorities we have continued to invest in them because we know how much they matter to communities.
“Our long-term commitment to our libraries continues and we are proud of the investments we have been able to make, including the opening of our flagship Central Library two years ago.
“However, it is getting harder and harder to provide a service in every location because of the financial pressures caused by austerity.
“This year, for example, we had to reduce our book fund by £50,000 to balance the budget and the reality is that some of our buildings are just not fit for purpose any longer,” she said.