THERE could be fewer books on the shelves of Reading’s new central library if planned to make more use of digital editions are made.
Reading Borough Council is planning to relocate the library from Abbey Square to part of the civic offices in Bridge Street, after it received £8m from the government’s Levelling Up fund. This would see a three-storey extension added to the site.
A consultation was held in the summer, and members of the council’s Older People’s Working Group expressed concern over the plans for fewer books.
A female member of the group said: “Surely if you are building a new library you expect to have more books, not less. I was surprised to hear that.”
A council officer managing the project said the reduction in books was ‘a controversial topic’ but books and some library services have gone digital. It was planned to relocate some books to the council’s other libraries including Southcote, Whitley, and Tilehurst.
The relocation will also mean an overall reduction of floorspace in comparison with the existing building.
A representative of a volunteer organisation that sits in the group expressed concern about the loss of space, as the top floor of the existing library contains the Reading Voluntary Action offices.
The project manager sympathised, saying that space would be “at a premium” at the new library, and hoped there would be room for a voluntary organisation.
The way the extension will fit in relation to the current civic office building was also presented to group members.
While enhancements to the outdoors area are planned, they will require the installation of new flagpoles and the relocation of a van serving refreshments.
And the customer service area and the registrar’s office responsible for recording births, marriages and deaths, will have to move to the rear of the building while work takes place.
Cllr Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley) asked how accessible the library will be, with the council officer promising an improved wheelchair ramp and lifts to take disabled users to the upper floors.
The Older People’s Working Group met on Friday, October 13.
The council predicts that work can begin in March, with hopes for completion in a year. No official planning application has been submitted. This is expected soon.
