Two-month closure of New Milton library delayed as £80,000 revamp pushed back

PLANS for an £80,000 revamp of New Milton Library due to start next week have been delayed.

Town bookworms had been advised to stock up on reading material before a two-month closure which had been scheduled to start on Monday and run until 23rd April.

Now Hampshire County Council has announced its postponement, saying: “Due to logistical and contractual reasons between the library service and contractors, New Milton Library will be closed for a short period later on in 2019.”

A spokesperson added: “Hopefully a new date will be sorted imminently, probably in a month or two”.

When it does start the project will see new decoration throughout and the children’s library moved to the ground floor making it easier for families with buggies or wheelchairs to use it.

The council’s executive member for recreation and heritage, Cllr Seán Woodward, said they planned to make the library “a modern, vibrant and accessible community venue.”

He added: “The improvements will particularly benefit families with small children, and we will also be able to welcome new groups into the library, thanks to new hirable rooms.”

As well as full redecoration and updating of the facilities, a new community room and additional spaces available to hire will be provided.

The New Milton library investment forms part of the library service’s strategy to 2020 and a commitment to reinvest £500,000 a year from the development fund into library buildings and technology.