Dudley Library due for £200k revamp

Dudley Library is to get a makeover in a £200,000 project, it was revealed today.

Work is about to start on the library in St James Road to make it brighter and more welcoming for the 5,000 visitors it attracts each week.

Over the coming months, the library will be decorated and reorganised to make it easier for people to find books, CDs and other items available to borrow. Most of the existing shelving and carpet, which has been in place for more than 40 years, will be replaced in areas used by visitors.

Bosses have warned that there will be some disruption to services while the work is carried out. The total cost of the improvement work will be £208,000, and the plans have been drawn up following feedback from library users.

A consultation highlighted problems with the library's appearance and also difficulties in finding some books.

Bosses say the general feedback sugges-ted people wanted a light and attractive library with plenty of study seating which included tables, as well as casual, relaxed seating.

They want areas which are quieter as well as those where regular and special events take place.

A Health Exchange service will also be set up at the library in partnership with NHS Health Exchange trainers, to offer advice to visitors on health issues. The work follows recent improvements at the library including new lighting and updated computers.

Andrea Pope-Smith, director of adult, community and housing services, said: "Many council-run libraries have been refurbished in the last few years and we are pleased that we are now in a position to carry out further work. It does mean that there will be some disruption to the library over the coming weeks and months while these works are carried out."

During the works the first floor of the library will close from now until the end of July and the ground floor will be closed from the end of July until October.