Brierfield Library to close for £500,000 facelift

BRIERFIELD Library is to close tomorrow to allow for a make-over worth more than half a million pounds.

The Colne Road building will receive a total of £519,000-worth of work and is to be closed for three months while it’s undertaken.

Inside, the library will be completely refurbished and improvements will include movable shelving to help the library host community events.

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There will also be a self-service machine, plasma screen and meeting room including a small kitchen and a toilet.

A new space for an arts project called In Situ is also set to be created, which will make links with artists and the community.

Eighty thousand pounds of the £519,000 will be spent on securing the library’s roof and the money is coming from Lancashire County Council’s £5.5m. library regeneration programme.

County Coun. Mike Calvert, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “Unlike many other councils, we are not closing any of our libraries.

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“In fact we are continuing to invest in the service wherever we can. This will help to ensure our libraries not only remain open but provide modern, flexible resources, fit for the 21st Century.

“When Brierfield reopens in a few months’ time, local people will see an up-to-date, welcoming and accessible library the entire community can enjoy.”

Coun. Mohammed Iqbal was also pleased with the news saying: “Quite clearly the work is long overdue. Brierfield Library is very well used and I welcome the additional investment.

“At a time when there isn’t a great deal for young people to do, the library is going to become an integral part of the community.”

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All sessions such as lip-reading classes have been temporarily moved until the library reopens again and while the library is being refurbished, customers can use their free membership cards at any other library in Lancashire.

The nearest libraries to Brierfield are Burnley (Grimshaw Street), Nelson (Market Square) and Barrowford (Ann Street) while books and other items can also be reserved or renewed online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries.