A £1.4 MILLION improvement to the 15 libraries across Rotherham is now underway.
This scheme is Rotherham Council’s Libraries Capital Improvement Programme. Work is continuing in libraries at Thorpe Hesley and Greasbrough.
Wickersley’s improvement will begin from 22nd February and at Dinnington from 4th March. Services of order and collect will cease during the work, and all sites are closed until April. The refurbishment includes new office facilities, new library furniture and shelving, a new meeting room, public toilet, fully equipped catering style kitchen, carpets and shelving and a new kitchen.
Councilor Sarah Allen, member of the Rotherham Council’s Cabinet, said: “It’s great to see the work that is being carried out to improve libraries across Rotherham. Local communities and library users will be able to benefit from these improvements going forward as we look to come through the current Covid-19 pandemic. Libraries are an integral part of our neighbourhoods and it’s important that we create a library service that is responsive to community needs across the borough.”
Libraries at Mowbary Gardens, Kimberworth and Kiveton Park have now completed their refurbishment. Kiveton Park Library has also received over £200,000 investment to create a Community Hub housing both the library service and the Council’s Early Help Team.
Donna Stinson, a library user, said: “Wath Library is significantly larger than other library sites and has not benefitted from any form of modernisation since 2007. Refurbishing will ensure that this building is modern, vibrant and welcoming.
“It will offer access to digital technology, varied and quality stock to meet local need, as well as becoming a more appealing and prominent hub within this community that could be used to host wider Council, community or cultural activity in the heart of local community.”
The rest of the libraries are currently offering a temporary order and collect service.
Anyone can place a hold order online or can telephone their local library staff to place an order on their behalf. People are advised that under current Covid restrictions the wait for reservations may be longer than usual.