Disused school building to become a £350,000 library and resource centre

A DISUSED school building is to be transformed into a new library which will be shared by the school and the community.

A former caretaker's house, on site at Winterton Junior School, West Street, Winterton, which has been empty for years will be the site of the £350,000 library and resource centre.

The dilapidated temporary building which currently houses the library will be bulldozed, while the new facility will include private meeting rooms and a range of council services in addition to book lending.

Despite investment in 2000 to turn the library into a Local Link centre and boost disabled access, the building is very small and only open for 15 hours per week.

But Councillor Len Foster said he hoped that would change: "The money for the library is safe, the investment is going to be £350,000 and it will be within the old caretaker's building at the junior school.

"It will be more than a library, the aim is to provide as much as possible within the community – there are pockets of deprivation in Winterton, this will be a way to provide people with more assistance.

"When we have the new library it will be open for more hours through the week and we have got approved funding for a full time manager.

"It's all very good news. The planning application will go in soon, and should be going out for tender in August. It's looking very good."

Councillor Linda Cawsey, member of Winterton Town Council, said: "This is something I have wanted and pushed for since I joined the council, so it's fantastic news.

"Cllr Foster has really helped push the project forward and we're very grateful."

Mum Emma Dawson, 26, from Hiles Avenue, gave the plans her approval.

She said: "Of course it's good news. I do drive, so getting around isn't a problem, but having better facilities in the town will be loads better.

"Whether you have your own transport or not, if you can have everything on your doorstep it's much better, so I think everyone will benefit from this.

"I love reading and my little girl Laura loves it when I read to her so I think we'll get a lot of use from it."

Winterton Junior School was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.