North Yorkshire Council has announced that Richmond Library is relocating from its existing building on Queens Road to Mercury House, a council-owned building on Station Road. In a release issued on 19 October, the council said the library was scheduled to open in its new base at 10am on Monday, November 23.
The Queens Road library was due to close at 1pm on Saturday, October 31. To cover the closure period, the council said customers would be able to borrow additional books, with return dates extended, and could use the nearest alternative libraries in Colburn and Catterick.
01Moving into a council-owned building
Mercury House has improved public access and provides customer and registration services. As well as offering a more modern space, the council said the move aims to provide taxpayers with better value for money by making use of its own buildings, reducing costs and making the library easier to look after.
The current building on Queens Road is partly leased from an external landlord. According to the council, it has suffered from maintenance issues in recent years, which resulted in parts of the building being closed off. The council described Mercury House as a viable alternative which is fit-for-purpose.
Cllr Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture and arts, whose responsibilities include libraries, said: “We are excited to see the benefits that the relocation will bring to library users, securing its long-term future in the heart of the town.”
He added: “The new space is fit-for-purpose and reflects the evolving needs of the community, bringing the library under the same roof as other important council services.”
02What the new library will include
The new library will include an improved children’s section, with the aim of welcoming more school groups. There will be a dedicated IT area, and the local studies collection, which is only accessible by stairs in the current building, will be given ground floor space. There is disabled parking and there are bus stops outside the building, as well as an accessible entrance.
Cllr Myers said: “Staff and volunteers will host regular activities such as storytimes, provide IT support, and customers can enjoy hot drinks while reading or studying in comfortable surroundings.”
For readers planning their own building projects, our article on why professional clearance matters before renovation and redevelopment looks at the early stages of preparing a property. Those involved in public and commercial refits may also find our piece on specifying recessed downlights for visual comfort useful.
03A community partnership
Since 2017, the library has been run in partnership with the community organisation CRACCL, which manages Colburn, Catterick and Richmond libraries. The organisation relies on volunteers for delivering the day-to-day services, with support from council staff.
Cllr Myers said: “Richmond Library currently attracts more than 1,700 visitors each month, and we hope the refurbishment will bring in even more people.”
Details and image via North Yorkshire Council.
