Backing urged for library projects

PLANS for three new libraries in the Bradford area are expected to take a major step forward next week.

But the council has warned that time is running out on plans for one of the new libraries to be accommodated within the Appleton Academy in Wyke.

In a report the council says an initial design for the academy project does not include a public library "and it is imperative that a new design, including the public library, is approved in order to meet the timeline that would allow this opportunity to be taken".

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The report warns: "Any delay in developing this option will result in the co-location opportunity being lost."

The council wants to close the existing Wyke Library, sell the building and spend around 600,000 on a new public library in the academy.

Self-service technology will allow longer opening hours than traditional libraries.

The council's executive committee, which meets next Tuesday, is also expected to back a proposal to relocate library provision in Idle to Thorpe Methodist Church, which the council intends to buy and refurbish.

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In proposals put forward by consultants Inkopo, the council is being asked to sell the existing library building and invest the money to convert the church as a library and community facility.

It is proposed that Thorpe Primary School children will get exclusive access to the new library three mornings a week.

The cost to the council would be around 240,000 and would also bring in money with the sale of the existing library building.

The third proposal is for a new library, community centre and children's centre in Haworth.

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The cost of the new library and community centre in Haworth has been estimated at 2.5m, although the sale of the existing community centre would generate some money.

The report says: "There is currently 445,000 in the capital programme for a new Haworth Library and 2.5m in both 2010-11 and 2011-12 for community hubs which may be applied to finance the above (Wyke, Idle, Haworth) projects."

Councillors are being presented with three options from the proposals generated by the review of libraries.

Council officers are urging councillors to go for Option Three which recommends that officers produce work programmes for the pilot schemes at Wyke, Haworth and Idle.

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The report warns that the timeframe is tight for the delivery of the library for Wyke.

It says the plans will benefit large sections of the community, including the school itself.

"The academy will benefit from drawing in the local community to the life of the school via use of the library.

Older people and families with pre-school children will become part of the wider academy community.

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"The use of self-service technology within the library will mean that the opening times for the current library could potentially be extended and could fit within the extended hours of community access to the campus as a whole."

The report adds: "Access to the public library on campus will increase the use of libraries/access to books and reading across all age groups within the school, working towards the transformational priority of improving educational outcomes to prepare people for an active and prosperous life."

Members of the executive are also expected to endorse plans for working with local communities to identify innovative places to provide new libraries in the future.

The city council's executive committee meets at City Hall in Bradford from 2pm on Tuesday, March 30.

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