Blantyre Library to move into leisure centre in spring 2025
Plans have been shared for the relocation of Blantyre Library into the area’s leisure centre next spring through South Lanarkshire’s budget-saving reprovisioning programme.
A new book-lending area including self-service kiosks is to be created beside the reception area of the leisure centre on Glasgow Road, with the work due to be completed by late March 2025 and the service then moving out of the current building at Clydeview Shopping Centre.
Council officials say that the new facility will result in extended library opening hours matching those of the pool and gym – although the number of staffed hours seems set to reduce.
David Booth, the council’s executive director of community and enterprise resources, told Lanarkshire Live: “Blantyre Library will be sited within Blantyre Leisure Centre, accessible from and adjacent to the reception.
“Walls will be removed, glazed screens, a doorway and windows installed to create a suitable area, [which] will then be fitted and decorated in keeping with a library facility. Work is expected to be completed by the end of March next year.
“The new library area will be accessible at all times that the leisure centre is open. To enable it to function outwith the working hours of library staff, a self-service kiosk will be installed to allow book issuing, return and renewal services, while there will be a range of familiar services including free wi-fi, photocopying and Bookbug and pre-five activities.”
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It follows a council budget decision earlier this year reducing funding to South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture by £750,000 and leading to plans to withdraw services from 35 halls, libraries and community facilties.
Community groups were offered the option of taking on some of the properties in asset transfers, while a £150,000 future transformation fund was set up to consider “alternative models of provision” for the seven originally-affected libraries.
Forth Library is also to move into the area’s sports centre and Bothwell Library is operating in the area’s community hub; while Cambuslang Library has been given a two-year extension following a successful 8500-signature petition to the council.
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Blantyre councillor Maureen Chalmers shared details of the plans for her area’s library in a Facebook post – and said that while opening hours will more than double and seven-day opening will be provided, staffing hours are due to be reduced to 32 per week.
Residents responded in numbers expressing their disappointment at the loss of the area’s dedicated library and its valued full-time staffing, highlighting its wider community impact as a warm space, home for book groups and social interaction, and saying the area “deserves more”.
The three months of work to create the new library space in the leisure centre is due to start early in the new year.
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