Opening of library put back a year (From Gazette Series)

Opening of library put back a year

THE OPENING of Dursley's controversial new library has been postponed until next year.

The delay in the new £875,000 building in May lane has been attributed to gas supplies taking longer to install.

The steel and glass building, which will be known as The Library, had been due to be opened by the end of December but its doors will now remain closed until January 2006.

Once open the library, the design of which has caused many debates in the town, will offer state-of-the-art facilities to the local community.

Cllr Dennis Andrewartha (Lib Dem), a Gloucestershire County Council representative for Cam and Dursley, said: "The Dursley and Cam communities have been looking forward to a brand new library for some time and this is only a small delay.

"I am sure it will be worth the wait for this wonderful new facility to open in the New Year, making 2006 the year of the library."

John Holland, the county council's assistant head of libraries and information, said: "This minor setback is a disappointment but I would like to reassure local people that work will continue inside the building to make sure we are ready to open in the new year."

Stroud District Council is a partner in the library project and will be providing their Citizens First information service from the building. The Citizens Advice Bureau and a Community Enterprise Centre will be based on the first floor together with a meeting room for use by local groups and organisations.

There will also be an additional nine free-to-use broadband personal computers with Internet access set in an informal Internet caf area as well as new books, DVDs, PlayStation games and a CD service.

Cllr Margaret Nolder (Lab), also representing Cam and Dursley on the county council, said: "Once open, staff at the new library will be able to improve on the services they were able to offer at the old building.

"Having started my local government career at Dursley Library I know how important the library is to local people.

"Although the building has caused a lot of mixed reactions I'm sure the town will grow to look at the building with as much affection as the old library."