Consultation: Biggleswade Library

Consultation closed: Sunday 5 June 2022
Consultation opened: Monday 14 March 2022

We are proposing to reconfigure and refurbish Biggleswade Library to provide a modern, attractive facility for the benefit of Biggleswade residents.

There would be improvements to existing library services, new learning facilities in keeping with a modern library and complementary services introduced.

As well as library improvements, this proposal would see a children’s centre, registration service and a satellite office for our staff, co-located within the library building. There would be opportunities for joined-up working between the services for the benefit of the community.
The proposed changes would result in a decrease in public library space of 1% (5m2) but this will be mitigated by better use of the library space with the new furniture, shelving, study area and the IT zone. The proposal would also make better use of the existing library building by increasing the total floor space used by public-facing services by 15%.

We would also use this opportunity to make crucial improvements to the building. The current library has issues relating to the building and electrical equipment. The mechanical and temperature control mechanisms are also displaying major defects and some of the equipment is at the end of its working life. We must undertake these works, or the library service will start to see unexpected building closures that could last a day or several weeks, whilst we source equipment, and this will be at a greater cost to the council. By undertaking this refurbishment, the building would be upgraded to function more efficiently and sustainably. It will also mean the chance of disruption of the service for residents is reduced.

Libraries have a key role to play as a community hub, creating a freely accessible focal point for communities. The proposed new library configuration with registration services and a children’s centre would enhance this role.

Biggleswade Library is situated on the corner of Chestnut Avenue and The Baulk. There is a public car park across the road (Chestnut Avenue) which offers free parking for the first hour (additional hours with payment) and a two-minute walk from the library is a free car park (The Baulk) where you can park for a maximum of two hours. There is also one disabled parking space, directly outside the library building.

Funding

There is a budget of £700K for the building-related works which would be funded through our medium-term financial plan should the project go ahead.

We would also use Section 106 funding, which is money secured from new local housing developments, to cover the costs of the new furniture and equipment in the library.