Wigan school unveils plans to build a new library for the community

The library is located at Dean Trust Wigan

Town hall chiefs are running a consultation on the future of Lamberhead Library, which is based at Dean Trust Wigan.

School bosses want to create an on-site engagement centre to work with parents and carers in the area, offering more opportunities for people.

They believe the building currently housing the library would be the ideal location, so have proposed to construct a new centre for the library.

It would be a purpose-built facility located at the front of the school, close to the entrance to the current library.

The new, “like for like” building would have books for adults and children, People’s Network computers, a reception pod, toilet facilities and staff area.

Also available would be newly installed public access network computers, super-fast fibre broadband, self-service machines and free parking.

Lamberhead Library currently has “modest usage”, with the number of books issued in 2019-20 ranking it as the seventh most used of the 13 community libraries in the borough.

There is “reasonable” usage of its public access network computers and it is said to be “well used” for events and activities for children and adults, including adult learning, a photography club, poetry sessions and a breastfeeding group.

Lesley O’Halloran, Wigan Council’s director of customer and culture, said: “Thousands of books are loaned from Lamberhead Library each year and it is also the location of many different events, learning activities and support groups.

“We do not have any intention of closing it. Instead we are asking for residents’ views on relocating the library to a different building at the Dean Trust school to allow for the development of an on-site engagement centre for parents and carers.

“This relocation, still remaining on-site, will give us the opportunity to offer members a new fully refurbished building with books for adults and children, self-service machines, a network of computers and eventually super-fast broadband.

“Furthermore, it is an opportunity for us to support the school in setting up a new engagement centre that will offer help to families and carers.

“We are really keen to hear the views of our residents and hope as many people as possible can take part before the consultation ends of May 2.”

Find out more and take part in the consultation by visiting www.wigan.gov.uk/Council/Consultations/Lamberhead-Green-Library.aspx

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