November 2, 2017 9.03 am This story is over 76 months old

£1m library transformation plans to begin in Scunthorpe this month

The plans are part of a £60 million investment programme involving the public, private and voluntary sector.

£1 million plans to transform North Lincolnshire Central Library are nw underway in Scunthorpe.

The building itself will close its doors on Saturday, November 11 at 4pm before relocating temporarily to The Base from December 4.

Under new plans, the library will get a complete internal make-over to turn it into a community hub – bringing many services together under one roof.

It will become a focal point for people to meet, borrow books, access job and training opportunities and get housing and health advice.

Work on the building will start on Monday, November 13 and the library will open its doors as a new community hub in spring 2018.

All books will be moved to The Base as will as group activities.

This will include the popular Knit and Natter on Wednesdays, Trading Card Club on Wednesdays, Newschat on Thursdays and Pokemon Club on Saturdays.

The Tuesday Job Club attendees will be temporarily redirected to the Action Station on Cole Street in Scunthorpe, which holds job clubs twice a week on Monday afternoons and, for the under 24s on Thursday afternoons. Library Explorers will move to Ashby Library.

Prior to services being provided at The Base on December 4, group activities will be held at alternative venues so that service is not disrupted. Activities include:

  • Wednesday 15, 22 and 29 November 10am to 11.30am – Knit and Natter at 20-21 Visual Arts Centre
  • Thursday 16, 23 and 30 November from 10.30am to 12 noon – Newschat at 20-21 Visual Arts Centre
  • Thursday 16, 23 and 30 November from 10am to 11am – Library Explorers at Ashby Library

The move forms plans for the town that will see it transformed through a £60 million investment programme involving the public, private and voluntary sector.

Councillor Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for Community Wellbeing, said: “This is a major investment that will strengthen the offer provided so that instead of people having to go to different buildings, they will be able to just go to one right in the heart of Scunthorpe town centre.

“There will be a whole range of services under one roof – offering a more flexible, accessible and joined-up approach.”