A second phase of a temporary pop-up library service in Ulverston has opened this week.
The library service now occupies three units in Ulverston Market Hall on New Market Street, a short distance from the pop-up library facility already opened in the Ante Room at The Coro.
The Market Hall units provide space for more stock for borrowing as well as areas that can be used for community groups, meetings and events.
The facilities in the Ante Room have been up and running for several weeks and provide a reception desk, selection of books for borrowing and public access laptops and printers.
The Ante Room is hired from The Coro and is only able to open in line with The Coro’s current opening hours, but the new Market Hall units will be open 9am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9.30am to 1pm Saturday. Both the Ante Room and Market Hall will have library service staff on hand to assist with customer enquiries.
Ulverston’s library building on King’s Road was closed following the discovery of issues with the building’s electrics during routine statutory checks.
Further investigations have revealed that the issues with the electrics are extensive and Westmorland and Furness Council is carrying out an appraisal to carefully consider all options for providing a permanent, long-term library service in Ulverston to achieve the most effective and best value solution for the local community.
Options being looked at include the full repair and refurbishment of the existing library building on King’s Road – to include repairing the electrics, upgrading the heating system, interior layout changes and any other building works required – as well as examining opportunities to re-locate to alternative premises or co-locate within other facilities in town.
The council has repeatedly stressed that the current pop-up arrangements are temporary and the long-term library solution would involve a far more extensive provision, whether that is back in a refurbished King’s Road or another location, and that the options work is looking at opportunities to expand and enhance service, particularly to develop its community facilities.
More answers to questions on Ulverston Library, the options being considered and next steps, can be found in our Ulverston Library Questions and Answers
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said: “When we discovered the problem with the electrics at King’s Road and had to take the decision to close the building, our immediate priority was to get at least a partial library service back up and running in Ulverston.
“So I am delighted that we’re now able to open the second phase of our temporary pop-up in the Market Hall, which will complement the facilities in the Ante Room.
“Libraries are in my portfolio and I think they are more important than ever, for young people to make discoveries about themselves and about the world, to educate, to entertain, to educate, to bring people together.
“The Council is working hard to ensure that we can achieve the very best long-term outcome for the town and its library service. We are considering all the available options to get the best future for the library and library services in Ulverston - including looking at opportunities to expand and modernise the service and make it even more accessible to more of the local community.
“We recognise there has been much speculation and discussion about Ulverston Library, but whatever happens next will likely require significant investment. It is therefore right and proper that we weigh up all options carefully, taking into account a number of factors, before committing to that level of investment to make sure that it really delivers for Ulverston, not just for now but into the future.
“We should be in a position to be able to announce the outcome of that appraisal work soon, and in the meantime we hope people will take the time to read our extensive Ulverston Library Questions and Answers document which addresses in more detail many of the questions that have been raised.
“I would also remind that, as the library is a statutory function, we’re required to consult on any changes, including any relocation of the library, so the local community will have the opportunity to comment on proposals and public views will be taken into account as part of the process.’’
In addition to the pop-up services at The Coro and Market Hall, customers can also find full library services at nearby libraries at Grange and Barrow, with Library Links in Dalton and Broughton-in-Furness.
The council also has a digital library services on offer.