Barrow Library Set For £400,000 Revamp While Remaining Open
Barrow Library is set to undergo a major programme of repairs and upgrades, with more than £400,000 being invested to improve the historic building and ensure it remains in good condition for years to come.
Westmorland and Furness Council is funding the project, which is due to begin on October 1. The work will focus on a range of external and structural improvements while allowing library services to continue for residents throughout the programme.
The building is Grade II listed and has a long history in the town. Although the date 1915 appears on the building, Barrow Library did not actually open to the public until 1922.
Carlisle based Top Notch Contracting has been appointed to carry out the main building works. Contractors will replace the coverings on the rear flat roof and install modern rooflights above the central section of the library.
The library will remain open throughout the project, meaning residents will still be able to use the service and access its books while the improvement works take place. The council said arrangements have been made to allow visitors to continue using the building safely.
The central section immediately behind the entrance foyer will be boarded off during the work. New doors will be installed at the sides of the foyer so people can continue to reach the two wings of the library.
A number of improvements will also be made to the fabric of the building. These include better insulation, localised repointing of masonry and repairs to existing timber sash windows and cast iron guttering.
The insulation improvements are expected to reduce the building's future running costs. The council also said the work should make the library greener by helping to reduce carbon emissions.
The project is expected to continue through the winter, with completion anticipated by spring 2027. During this period, the reduced amount of available floorspace will mean that some regular activities normally held at Barrow Library will need to move elsewhere.
Some activities will instead take place at other libraries or council buildings while construction work affects parts of the Barrow site. The changes are intended to allow services and activities to continue despite the temporary restrictions within the building.
Visitors may also experience intermittent noise during certain stages of the project, particularly while masonry repointing and other repairs are being carried out. Some work will take place outside normal opening hours in an effort to reduce disruption for library users.
Vending machines will not be available inside the library during the refurbishment. The overall project is being managed by Align Property Partners on behalf of the council.
Westmorland and Furness Council's cabinet member for communities, Councillor Helen Chaffey, described the investment as significant and said the work would help ensure the library remains watertight for many years. She also highlighted the expected savings from improved insulation.
Councillor Chaffey said the council was pleased that the essential work could be completed while the library remained open. She also pointed to the continued availability of books and the presence of staff to help visitors find the material they need.
The council has acknowledged that there may be occasional disruption while the work is under way, but said most visitors should not notice a significant difference during their normal visits. The investment is intended to protect the historic building while improving its efficiency and long term condition.
Barrow Library currently provides a range of services including book borrowing, computer access, printing, photocopying, local studies resources, reading groups and community activities. The council's library service has confirmed that these core facilities will continue to be available while the refurbishment progresses.
The programme represents a substantial investment in one of Barrow's established public buildings, with the combination of roof repairs, insulation improvements and maintenance work aimed at extending its useful life. Residents will continue to have access to the library during the works, although some activities and facilities will be temporarily affected.
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