Supermarket options considered for Stornoway Library 14/2/12
The future of Stornoway library should be known later this week after negotiations over its long term lease. The library will have to shift to a new site unless the building’s owner agrees to extend the present lease.
According to a council report, relocation options include taking over the present Tesco building if the supermarket ever decides to build elsewhere.
Alternatively, the council could build a new library on the Acres Pitch opposite its Sandwick Road headquarters, perhaps in a private/public partnership with a supermarket.
Another idea is moving into Stornoway Town Hall with a possible extension into Carn Gardens.
A further option is to consider building new on the site of the former Mitchell‘s bus station by the new lifeboat station.
A shift to the redeveloped Lews Castle is also being looked at -
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise building on James Street is another prospect. So is the old Newhall Mill offices, where the a number of businesses including a dry cleaners are presently based.
A number of suggestions are being ruled out including a shift to Studio Alba, the council offices, Stornoway Sports Centre, the new Nicolson Institute or the Stornoway museum.
Council owned properties in the town centre have also been scored out already. The
Wee W store is on a long lease and is unavailable while the former Co-
Councillors will debate the issue in private today (wed). They are expected to be told there is a good likelihood of striking a favourable deal to continue the current lease.
If the financial figures are affordable as anticipated, the council is likely to vote to retain the library in its town centre spot.
However, the problems remains that the space within the four storey building is insufficient for the future needs of the service.
About 25% more space is required for future aspirations to increase the public lending area, expand the computer and learning area. More space is also needed for an office and community events and reading groups.
The council will also look at the possibility of branching out to provide tourist information or accept council tax payments and other council information services.
It is also hoped to develop the café with a bigger kitchen, integral customer toilet and its own entrance.
However, the proposed improvements could be accommodated within the current building if the other council departments which occupy the upper floors relocate.
While traditional book lending has declined visitor numbers have risen, mainly with people coming in to use the internet. The introduction of electronic books will be become element of library provision in the future.
Last year, there were over 65,000 visits to Stornoway Library. With almost 8,000 library members at Stornoway Library alone it issues approximately 10,000 loans a year (55% of the whole library network business) and answers over 5,000 enquiries a year.
However, library customers were greatly dismayed when the council forced the facility to cut its hours and started closing on Mondays as part of financial cutbacks. It resulted in visitor numbers doubling up on Tuesdays putting staff under an extra burden.
Budget cuts also resulted in restructuring the service, voluntary retirements and reduced staffing.
A council report warns this “re-