Newark Library, on Beaumond Gardens, Balderton Gate, Newark will close temporarily from January next year for maintenance works

A library is set to close temporarily for maintenance works starting early next year.

Newark Library, on Beaumond Gardens, Balderton Gate, Newark will be closing for essential planned building maintenance work to its heating and cooling systems.

The closure will take place on Wednesday, January 17 at 6.30pm and the reopening is estimated for the spring of 2024.

During the closure period, Balderton Library, which is the nearest library, will be extending its hours to weekdays from 9am until 6pm and Saturdays from 9am until 4pm.

Some of the activities including an extra weekly Rattle, Rhyme and Roll session for babies and toddlers and the Crime and Heritage cafes will be transferred to the Balderton library.

The number of computers available at Balderton Library will also be increased.

Peter Gaw, chief executive of Inspire, which delivers library services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are pleased that we can progress essential maintenance to address problems Newark Library has experienced in recent years with its heating and cooling system.

“The works will improve the conditions for both staff and customers and avoid reactive closures in extremes of hot/cold weather.

“We have worked hard to provide alternative library service provision locally with extended opening hours at Balderton.

“Newark Library customers can use their card at any Nottinghamshire/Nottingham library or renew over the phone or online.

“Balderton and Newark Buttermarket will host some of Newark’s regular activity sessions to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. The library will close to the public at 6.30pm on 17th January 2024 and we look forward to welcoming back all our customers, both old and new, in the spring of 2024.”

From January 20, the Inspire Centre at Newark’s Buttermarket will host regular library activities including Rattle, Rhyme and Roll sessions, children’s story times, Lego and Games clubs for families, as well as Scrabble sessions, Crafty Natters and Places of Welcome for adults.

Nottinghamshire County Council has been approached for a comment.