The former main library in Reading is set to be sealed off to deter intruders after the successful opening of a new facility last month.
The Reading Central Library building has been closed since the middle of May.
Library services, including books and computers, were transferred over to the new Central Library at the Reading Borough Council offices in Bridge Street.
The new facility was opened on Thursday, June 18 by Liz Terry (Labour Coley), the council leader and Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley), the mayor.
Now, the council’s property and assets department has asked to install security measures to the old building to secure it against trespassers, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
The measures include installing temporary security hoarding, mesh screens and timber hoardings at the entrance to deter intruders.
All of these features would be installed on a temporary basis, with hopes for the building to be repurposed for housing by a purchaser.
The building appeared on Rightmove in July 2024 as part of a sales process that was agreed on by the council’s policy committee earlier that year.
Senior planning officer Marcie Rejwerska conducted an assessment of the project.
She noted that security metal sheets for the windows would be installed internally, therefore limiting the impact on the character of the building, which opened back in 1985.
External metal mesh screens for windows and external doors at the rear for enhanced security.
While the continued use of the building during its vacancy was considered, that has not been determined as feasible, meaning the old library will remain dormant.
Ms Rejwerska wrote: “The case officer has discussed with the applicant if a ‘meanwhile’ use could be considered for one of many local community groups that are in need of premises to operate from, however, it has been confirmed that the applicant [the council’s own assets department] is not intending to bring the interior of the property to a standard suitable for this type of use.”
As the works have been proposed by the assets department, they have to be approved by the council’s planning applications committee.
A decision is due to be made when the committee meets on Wednesday, July 22.
Ms Rejwerska has recommended the project for approval, on the condition that all external measures, such as the timber hoardings, be removed within three years.
You can view the application by typing reference PL/26/0785 into the council’s planning portal.
During the sales process initiated in 2024, the old building was marketed for conversion into apartments, with the expectation that any developer complies with the council’s policy of making 30 per cent of the development designated affordable housing.
