Temporary library premises secured in Worksop

Published 13th January 2020

Worksop Library on Memorial Avenue suffered a devastating flood throughout the 2000sqm building on Thursday 7 November 2019 and has been closed to the public ever since. Temporary premises have now been secured in the town to restore a library service to the Worksop community.

The temporary library in Unit 19 of The Priory Shopping Centre will open on Monday 20 January offering a full library lending service, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday 11am-3pm. Access to public PCs in the temporary library will follow once lines have been installed. Carlton-in-Lindrick Library will continue with extended opening hours (Mon-Fri – 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm) to offer public PC access, while Balmoral will revert to its normal hours from Monday 20 January.

Inspire staff have also been working with other venues and partners across the town to secure alternative venues for the many events and courses. Inspire Learning have relocated community learning and the 16-24 study programme to The Crossing, whilst other events have had to be cancelled or relocated to various venues. Full details are available on the Inspire website or from the ASK Inspire service (01623 677 200).

Work has already started on Worksop Library to restore the building for use again and is expected to open in the summer. The building hosts the library service, adult learning, young people’s study programme, community meetings/events, Café, registration service, adult day care and several Inspire and Nottinghamshire County Council office staff. It is one of Inspire’s flagship venues, receives over 200,000 visits a year and holds a library stock of 26,000 items, including a large heritage collection.

Cllr John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities and Place committee, and also Chair of the Inspire board, said:

“It’s great news that we’ve managed to secure a new temporary location for Worksop library and that the service will be up and running within a week. My thanks go to the team who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.

“I understand how important Worksop Library is to the local community and while work is being done to restore the flagship venue, everyone can be assured of a warm welcome at the new premises in the shopping centre.”