http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... libraries/£1.1m makeover for Oswaldtwistle and Burnley libraries
12:00pm Thursday 3rd July 2008
TWO East Lancashire libraries are set to be given a makeover in a £1.1million scheme this year.
Under Lancashire County Council’s Library Regenerate programme both Briercliffe Library, Jubilee Street, Burnley, and Oswaldtwistle Library, in Union Road, will share in the windfall.
Library chiefs hope that the revamp of their Briercliffe site will be welcomed by book lovers, after the imminent demise of the town’s Colne Road, Barbon Street and Brunshaw outposts.
The three branches, set to close in August, will be replaced by a larger facility at the new Burnley Schools Sixth Form campus on Barden Lane.
Briercliffe was one of two sites, the other being Pike Hill, to escape the axe when the findings of a libraries review were unveiled last year.
The library was originally designed as a joint venture with a nearby health clinic, which has since been vacated by East Lancashire Primary Care Trust.
Richard Jones, the county council’s executive director for adult and community service, said in a report: "It is now possible to develop the library to create flexible community spaces.
“In selecting this library there is the potential to develop partnership working with other services, such as youth and community.
“A positive message would be given to the local community against a backdrop of three neighbouring libraries being closed in Burnley to fund a new community library development as part of Building Schools for the Future on the Barden campus."
The distinctive Union Road library in Oswaldtwistle was first opened by the former urban district council in 1915.
Even nearly 20 years ago the site was showing signs of wear and tear though – in 1981 and 1982 the library was temporarily relocated to the town hall so emergency repairs and refurbishment could take place.
Commenting on Oswaldtwistle Library, Mr Jones added: “This is a unique older building, desperately requiring regeneration to deliver a service fit for the 21st century.”
The Lancashire Telegraph reported earlier this year how Crawshawbooth library, in Rossendale, would be the site of a new £500,000 revamp in partnership with the youth service.
The other libraries which will benefit are in Euxton, Ormskirk, Silverdale, Penwortham, Kirkham and Poulton.
Major investments have recently been announced for Haslingden and Colne libaries as part of a campaign funded by the Big Lottery.
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