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This follows North Somerset Council’s announcement in October 2022 that it signed a 125-year lease to secure the longterm future of a library in Nailsea.
Due to the number of books and resources that need to be relocated between buildings, the library will close the doors in its current location on Saturday 1 July.
Customers loans will be automatically extended and during the temporary closure, customers can use their library card at any other library including Clevedon, Portishead and Yatton. Customers can also access free eBooks and eAudiobooks from home at LibrariesWest.
The move forms part of the council’s strategy to have modern, accessible libraries where people can go to benefit from a variety of services. These include:
- offering free access to computers, the internet and digital support
- hosting community support and advice sessions
- providing activities for families and people of all ages
- providing access to over 2.5 million items through the LibrariesWest consortium.
The new library includes improved digital facilities funded by the Department for Levelling Up using an award of £27,595 from its UK Shared Prosperity Fund*. Extended Access allows registered users to borrow books, use computers and Wi-Fi outside of staffed library hours.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: "Nailsea Library is one of our top performing libraries – attracting around 67,000 visits a year – so I have no doubt that the new modern and energy-efficient library building, and the added benefit of an Extended Access facility, will provide a much-improved user experience.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved in delivering this project to benefit the people of Nailsea and the surrounding areas.”
Councillor Mike Bird, North Somerset Council ward member for Nailsea Yeo, said: “The new library will be a great accessible multifunctional space that will allow the whole community to get the most out of the library and help further develop it as a dynamic community hub for the town.”
The existing 50-year-old building in Somerset Square needs substantial investment. Estimated costs to refurbish the library and address accessibility issues were estimated at over £1m, whereas the relocation is costing around £500k.
North Somerset Council has agreed to sell the building to Media Developments (Nailsea) Ltd, with the transaction due to complete this summer.
Keep up with the latest news about Nailsea Library at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/nailsealibrary or on Facebook (facebook.com/nslibraries), Twitter (twitter.com/NSomLibraries) and Instagram (instagram.com/northsomersetlibraries).
*The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6bn of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. It replaces the EU Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). For more information about the programme in North Somerset, visit https://innorthsomerset.co.uk/ukspf.