RESIDENTS of Earby are to see the return of a full library service at Earby Community Centre on New Road. The decision taken on Thursday, 8th March by the Conservative Cabinet at the County Council. It reverses the decision of the previous Labour administration to close Earby’s library.
The former Earby Library at Coronation Hall closed its doors in 2016, and following a feasibility study carried out by the Council, it has been deemed unsuitable to deliver a modern library service. The building lacks disabled facilities and needs a great deal of repair work.
In order to house the new Library Service at the New Road Community Centre, the County Council is investing funds to upgrade and repair the building, including the purchase of new furniture, amongst other works.
Conservative Councillor for Earby, Mike Goulthorp, commented, “The people of Earby are set to get a great local asset back and I want to thank the County Council. I have been pushing for the Library to be re-opened as soon as possible and, thanks to the hard work of Jenny Purcell and the Conservatives, that is going to happen soon. I look forward to the new library opening.”
Commenting, County Councillor Purcell said, “I’ve been working closely with Mike Goulthorp and the team responsible for Libraries at the County Council since May. It’s taken some time to put right the damage done by Labour to our Library Service across Lancashire and I’m pleased that we’ve finally been able to get Earby back on course to be opened. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and I’m eagerly awaiting the new Earby Library.”