By John Baron
Council chiefs have given the green light to plans to move Calverley Library to the nearby Mechanics’ Institute as the local authority looks to save money.
£200,000 plans have been drawn up to relocate the library, which the council says has some of the lowest footfall, book borrowing and computer usage figures across the city.
A public consultation was launched in April – 70% of respondents were in support of the proposal, with many commenting that the proposed building would be more suitable and have potential to be a more usable community space.
The relocation will include creating level access into the Mechanics Institute, upgraded accessible toilets and redecoration of the library areas to provide a safe and welcoming environment.
Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) said: “Overall the move would safeguard and boost a library service in Calverley well into the future, and protect a historic building which has stood in the heart of the village for 150 years.”
He said both he and Cllr Craig Timmins were ‘very positive’ about the move.
“We have had a tour of the building to see the ideas for the refurbishment and are encouraged by the opportunities the relocation would bring,” Cllr Carlill added.
“The changes will lead to better use of an underused building, better community facilities for the village, maintaining library opening times, meeting or exceeding the capacity of books on display, providing more space for community groups and better facilities for the youth club which uses the building.”
He said a planning application for change of use of the Mechanics Institute to include library services will be submitted, and works will start on the design and technical specification of the new layout. No timescale has been given over the date of the actual move.
Cllr Carlill added: “We have asked that the proposed design be made available in the existing library to allow people to view and comment on the proposed plans.”
Councillor Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) gave the consultation results a cautious reception.
He said: “The key thing is that we keep a library in Calverley. However, experience tells me that this relocation, and the disposal of the existing site, need to be kept a very close eye on, because the two run hand in hand.
“Leeds City Council’s consultations are not the most reassuring of exercises. For example, they are claiming that 70% of people who responded to the consultation on the library were broadly in favour of the move. When I tell you there were only 104 responses in total it rather puts it into perspective.
“I have concerns that the community groups who currently use the existing library will find space limited in the Mechanics. I also want to see a fully functioning library moving to the Mechanics.
“As for the existing site, it needs a sensitive development, in harmony with the centre of the village, which is a Conservation Area.”
The council’s land and property team will start to review the existing library building to identify the best strategy going forwards – which most likely would be sale of the building.
The library was originally based at the Mechanics Institute before moving into its current building in 1973.
Plans to transform the current library building into a mini community hub were shelved in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
- WLD has been following local and national government cuts in West Leeds via its Cutswatch series here.
I agree with all of Councillor Carter’s concerns. Also, in my view the Mechanics Institute building needs more than £200,000 to turn it into a fit for purpose community facility that will accommodate a library and provide facilities for the community groups who currently use the library and the Mechanics Institute. Interested to see final plans. I suppose we should be grateful our library is not being closed completely even if the plans presented for the new library appear to provide a lesser facility than we have now.