BIRKENHEAD’S historic central library is to be closed from this weekend while final repair works are carried out.

Wirral Council has said the library should reopen on September 15 to allow con-tractors to complete the fitting of the 14 skylights safely.

The temporary closure will also give library staff time to rearrange and re-stock shelves back to full capacity and carry out a complete deep clean of the whole building.

The library has been offering a limited childrens’ and reference service since last year to allow for the replacement of the skylights covering those parts of the building after major structu-ral problems were found. Cllr Bob Moon, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, thanked library members for their patience.

He said: “It has been a frustrating time, not just for library users but also for staff, but the work was essential – not to mention complex – and time had to be taken to get it right. I’m delighted that the finishing line is now in sight and there is a date for the full reopening.”

To celebrate the completion of the work and say thank you to people for their patience, there will be refreshments and entertainment supplied for the reopening on Monday September 15.

While the library is closed between August 23 and September 15, customers can borrow or return books from any library or renew them online.

Computers are also available at other Wirral libraries and central reference collections are available at Bebington and Wallasey Central libraries.