Plans for an extension of Bradley Stoke Library have been submitted for approval after funding for the project was announced in South Gloucestershire Council’s 2009/2010 budget earlier this year.
Documents supporting the application justify the work on the grounds that Bradley Stoke Library currently provides just 13.7sqm of space per 1,000 residents compared to the value of 30sqm recommended by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
The extra space is said to be needed to expand children’s services – in 2008/2009 51% of the 226,00 books issued were to children.
The proposed work will see the existing library building extended by 3.6m at its south-eastern end, over the grassed area that is partly used as an outdoor play area (see top photo).
The scale of the extension is rather modest as it will add just 63sqm to the existing 504sqm.
Minutes of a recent Library Committee meeting indicate that the new space will be used for pre-school age book stock, leaving the existing children’s section to be used for school age children’s stock. An advantage of this arrangement is said to be that pre-school children will still be able to choose books when holiday activities are taking place.
Building work is expected to take place in December 2009/January 2010.
Good news about the extension. But why not extend all the way to the edge of the grass or extend up to create a mezzanine area with more books and comfy seats?