Library cafe

The former cafe in Stornoway library is eventually going to be put to productive use.

Two years after it shut the council plans to turn it into a community space.

The comhairle will test it out as a makerspace - a meeting place for various activities.

After losing over £48,000 in the previous four years the coffee shop shut in March 2016.

Despite being in a high footfall spot in the town centre it was not possible for the to make the business break-even under the then set-up, said the comhairle.

Proposals for operating the premises as a commercial venture under a new private operator came to nothing.

Now the plan is to have a flexible space with tables and chairs for people to sit in groups or on their own.

Computers and a Mac with design and editing software will be made available, along with a 3D printer, scanner and graphics tablet.

For the not so tecchie, board games (from scrabble and chess to Carcassonne), Lego and books will also be available.

Kathleen Milne, libraries manager, said: “We wanted to make sure the space became a part of the library and was used for the whole community. This is just the start - there are lots of possibilities and we are keen to hear from members of the community to see how we can develop the space further. It would be good to see regular sessions being offered, such as a morning reading group or even a Saturday Lego club?

“We are planning to run workshops and drop-in sessions for people to learn more about the equipment and would also like to continue to run more regular code clubs for children.

“We also want the makerspace to travel to other libraries, so that residents across the islands get the opportunity to explore the different resources and have fun learning and creating new things together.”

Council finally finds use for library cafe

19 February 2018