Minutes

Councillor Kellaway asked:

A local resident informed me that they had just visited their nearest library at Ringland Centre, which they use regularly only to find that they will be closing this facility and I believe relocating to a much smaller facility in the adjoining community centre.

This they were told will not be able to hold a site for visiting school children, the number of books held will be greatly reduced and may need to be requested via an ordering service.

Transferring to another part of this building as well as being a smaller area for the library service begs the question as to how long before this part of the building is demolished also.

Could you consider relocating the library service to part of the new primary school in Glan Llyn....not only will this provide an excellent facility for residents, but will surely enhance the education of future generations, whilst encouraging them to use the tools available at the library....residents realise the school is not yet open, however, it will be completed prior to next September's intake (2019).. and what better way to use the site beforehand so that all residents get some benefit.

If the school building is not able to accommodate such a facility perhaps a demountable could be considered in the short term.

Councillor Harvey responded:

The library will move into its new, permanent home within the new Ringland Neighbourhood Hub facility in Summer 2019.  The library area within the new Neighbourhood Hub will be a similar size to our other full-time libraries at Bettws and Malpas, and will include enough shelving space to display over 12,000 items, including 5000 junior and young adult titles, improving public access to library collections.   The Hub will also provide a large training space and a number of shared training rooms and public spaces, which the library service will be able to use.  As a result, the library service will be able to maintain and actually enhance the full programme of school visits and other events when it relocates to outs permanent accommodation.

Whilst the refurbishment works of the new Ringland Neighbourhood Hub are completed, the library will be temporarily re-located to a smaller premises within Ringland Shopping Centre.  At the moment the anticipated date of closure of the existing Library is 22nd December, with the service re-opening at its temporary location on 2nd January.  The temporary library will be operating within a smaller physical space, but will still provide the core library offer, including a selection of adult and junior stock, public PC access and the ability to collect requested books.  During the temporary relocation, there will be an interim disruption to school visits, but reading groups and rhyme-time activities will continue. 

In response to your suggestion that the library be part of the new primary school at Glan Llyn, the school plans do not include appropriate spare space in which a community library facility could be provided once the building is fully utilised.  Whilst  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.