Copyright grimsbytelegraph
The temporary library in Grimsby town centre is getting set to open soon. The pop-up facility, based in Freshney Place shopping centre, will welcome people in from Tuesday, November 4. Located on Baxtergate next to the Community Diagnostic Centre, it will offer library services that have been missing from the town since the closure of Grimsby Central Library in March due to a water leak and risk of asbestos disturbance. North East Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet has since approved, in principle, plans to reopen the building. A structural survey has been completed and further surveys are underway to determine the works that are needed. However, the Central Library's reopening will subject to "confirmation of the options and costs for refurbishment". The authority added there will be a "full and transparent engagement" regarding the options. The temporary library will be open Tuesday to Friday, between 8.30am and 5.30pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. It will be shut on Sundays, Mondays and Bank Holidays. It will offer a range of services including issuing, returning and reserving books from a collection of fiction and non-fiction titles, large print, audio books, children's books - including picture books, board books, junior fiction and non-fiction - along with a health and wellbeing, and SEND collection. Events such as Story Times for Toddlers and Shake Rattle and Read will also take place but places will be limited. Two public network computers will be available too along with two study spaces, and document scanning for local taxation and benefits assistance, photocopying and printing. Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said: “I am very pleased that we now have an accessible temporary library service within Grimsby Town Centre. I hope that people will take advantage of this service while we continue to investigate the works that are needed at the Central Library building.”
