Barnsley’s local libraries in line for a £1m upgrade to keep them modern

Members of the council’s ruling Cabinet will be asked to approve the plan when they meet next week, paving the way for a project which will see a total of £1m go into upgrading branches over a period of three to five years.

An outside firm specialising in furnishing libraries will be brought in for the work and changes to each branch will be worked out individually, resulting from consultations with the public.

It is acknowledged that books and reading will remain at the heart of community libraries’ purpose, though they are also used for other purposes.

A report to Cabinet members states: “Each library refurbishment project will commence with a piece of community engagement to inform the design of that library space and determine local requirements.

“The engagement process will involve users and non-users, elected members, community organisations and partners.

“By appointing a specialist library supplier to design the layout of library spaces at the outset of the programme, the successful supplier will be involved in the engagement activity at each library and able to discuss options and incorporate the engagement outcomes into the designs.”

It is also possible that potential changes to the buildings themselves may be identified when the process of looking for the best way to upgrade facilities takes place.

The report goes on: “The programme has positive benefits for members of the public as valued community facilities will be refurbished to ensure they are fit for purpose in the future and can be used flexibly to deliver a diverse range of activities and events for the local area.

“The scale of work will vary between different libraries but will involve a period of closure for most to enable building and/or refurbishment work to be completed.

“This will affect customers and groups in those communities, but library members can use any library in the borough to borrow items or use public access PCs or access online library resources.

“The Service will liaise with any library groups affected on alternative options for meeting and also ensure as far as practical that libraries in neighbouring wards are not refurbished and therefore closed simultaneously.”

The Light Box library has been designed to incorporate the latest technology to allow users to get the maximum benefits from the building, including a scheme which will allow certain users authorisation to enter when it is not otherwise staffed.