Have your say on the future of Calverley Library and Local History Centre!

The council are consulting over a proposal to relocate Calverley Library from its current building over to the Mechanics Institute.

This relocation would come with a significant investment of circa 200k to refurbish, modernise and make the mechanics institute downstairs areas fully accessible.

The service opening days and times would remain the same and there may even be an increase in the capacity of books on display.

All stakeholders that use both current buildings have been consulted. Probably the main one being the playgroup, this is already open on different days to the library service and so won’t be problem from this perspective, but there will be some logistical bits to work out as one of the smaller room will be shared as part of the proposal.

The reasons for the proposal are that we have two council buildings within a short walk of each other that are both underutilised. Like councils across the country Leeds has financial challenges and as part of wider cost cutting measures has reviewed all its assets.

We do understand that there will be questions about what will happen to the current library building, but a decision can only be made on that after this decision has been reached. It is highly likely it will be sold, but we just aren’t at that stage yet.

Myself and Cllr Peter Carlill, Calverley and Farsley feel very positive about the proposal. We have met the officers and had a tour of the building to see the ideas for the refurbishment. We know there may be some challenges, but the move would safeguard both a library service in Calverley well into the future and an historic building which has stood in the heart of the village for 150 years. We also hope that if this does go through it will kickstart a surge in Library users in Calverley and surrounding communities.

The consultation goes live tomorrow Monday 28th April 9am and will close on 26th May. Paper copies will be available at the library and copies will be delivered to nearby streets. We encourage as many residents as possible to complete the consultation and let the council know your thoughts on the proposal

https://surveys.leeds.gov.uk/s/LL2025

Craig.timmins@leeds.gov.uk

Peter.carlill@leeds.gov.uk