Hopes rise for swift return of vital Wirral library services

Nov 27 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

WIRRAL’S central library in Birkenhead should be fully back in use next year, according to a senior councillor.

The historic building has been closed since early summer after skylights in the roof collapsed.

A campaign to save the historic building was hit by comments from the council’s director of regeneration, Alan Stennard, who told a councillor he believes the building on Borough Road is “not fit for purpose”.

However, last night Wirral’s cabinet member for culture Bob Moon said despite these claims the library would continue “at least in the medium term” and reaffirmed the intention to carry out repairs to its roof, estimated at around £200,000.

Cllr Moon made it clear that he believes the repairs must be carried out and the library re-opened as soon as possible.

He said: “It is going to be elected members who make the decisions.

“The ‘not fit for purpose’ might be the view of the director, but the decision on the roof will be made by the cabinet in December.”

Since the partial closure in July, lending facilities have been severely curtailed and there has been reduced access to the reference and archive sections.

The comments from Mr Stennard came as a blow for supporters of the library on an internet campaign site who were last week buoyed by the news that cash from the annual capital programme is to be recommended to Cabinet to repair skylights.

Birkenhead Central Library was one of the country’s first public libraries, and the original library was opened in 1856 in a different part of Birkenhead, with the current central library building in Borough Road opened in 1934 by George V.

Mr Stennard had written to a councillor saying he believes that even if money is found for the much-needed repairs it will not make the existing building a viable library.

In his letter, the director said poor parking facilities, poor public transport and poor access for the disabled are factors which add up to a building which does not meet the standards of a central library.

He also revealed the council has been contacted by a “social entrepreneur” who has expressed an interest in “taking the building over for community benefit” if the library leaves the site.

However, Mr Stennard also said that although his view is that the council should look for a more central Birkenhead location, it would be inappropriate to do so outside a current review and before consideration by members.

liammurphy