Library set for offices rather than retail centre

COUNCILLORS in Wakefield are being recommended to approve plans for a new library as part of an office development rather than in a new retail scheme.

Currently, Wakefield City Centre has two libraries – on Drury Lane and Balne Lane.

Drury Lane acts as the city's lending library while Balne Lane is primarily provides a reference and information service.

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Plans to bring both together in a single building had previously focused on premises in the private sector Trinity Walk retail development.

However, council officers are now recommending that councillors approve an alternative – building a new library within the council's offices at Merchant Gate.

The officers' report says: "Whilst there are some service benefits in terms of relocating the new library provision at Trinity Walk, these are outweighed by the financial benefits and efficiencies which can be gained from locating the service provision within the new Westgate building."

Council officials have also been keen to emphasise that a library at Merchant Gate, near one of the city's two railway stations, would be council-owned and run, rather than being part of a private development.

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Councillor David Dagger, cabinet member for culture, sport and libraries, said: "The council is committed to providing a new library for Wakefield and even in tough economic times we have not wavered from this goal."

"Having the library in a council-owned building will also allow us to make efficiency savings, as will co-locating the services currently offered at Balne Lane library and Drury Lane," he added.

If councillors accept the recommendations when they meet on Tuesday, a library on the site near Westgate station could be open in 2012.

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