Westmorland and Furness Council is investing more than £400,000 in the Grade 2 listed Barrow Library this autumn and winter.
Contactors will replace the rear flat roof coverings, together with the rooflights above the central section of the library. In addition improved insulation will be provided under the new roof coverings, there will be localised repointing of masonry, and the existing timber sash windows and cast-iron guttering and down pipes will be repaired and repainted. The work is due to finish by Spring 2027.
Barrow Library will remain open throughout the works which will begin on 1st October. All books will still be available, and staff will be on hand to help people.
In order to replace the rooflight windows, the central section of the library immediately behind the entrance foyer will be boarded off, with people accessing the two wings of the library through new doors in the side of the foyer.
The project will secure the fabric of this valued building for years to come. Improved insulation will reduce the building’s running costs, resulting in lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions.
Because of the somewhat reduced floorspace, some regular activities held at the library will move to other libraries and council buildings while the works are taking place. There will be intermittent noise when the contractor prepares to repoint the masonry and during any repairs to the windows, guttering and downpipes, but the contractor will be undertaking some work outside library opening hours to minimise the disruption to library users. There will also be no vending machines available in the library during the works.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, the Cabinet Member for Communities including Libraries said: “This is a significant investment by Westmorland and Furness Council in Barrow Library, which will ensure it remains watertight for years to come. The improved insulation will mean a saving for the council tax-payer in reduced running costs going forward, and means the building will be greener with reduced carbon emissions.”
This project is part of an annual programme of planned essential maintenance works programme across all council buildings. The council has a responsibility to keep its buildings in good condition and safe for use by the public and its staff.
Councillor Chaffey added: “I am delighted that this important work can go ahead whilst the library remains open, with all the books still available and our helpful staff on hand to assist people to find the book they want.
“I hope people will understand that there may be occasional noise whilst this essential work goes ahead, but most visitors will not see any real difference.”
Barrow Library is a Grade 2 listed building. It bears the date of 1915, but works were delayed due to the First World War, and it first opened to the public in 1922.
The rooflight windows which are being replaced are not original but are relatively modern additions which have reached the end of their useful lives.
The main contractor for the work is Top Notch Contracting of Carlisle, with Project Management by Align Property Partners.