New Reading library to have fewer books and less floorspace

The new Reading Central Library will be incorporated into the Civic Offices

A new library will have fewer books and less floorspace than the one it is replacing, council officials have revealed.

The Central Library is being relocated from its current premises in Abbey Square to the Civic Offices in Bridge Street, which will have a three-storey front extension added.

Reading Borough Council received £8m in Levelling Up funding for the project.

Project manager Camille James said many library services had gone digital.

The new library would replace the existing one in Abbey Square

At a meeting with the council's Older People's Working Group, she admitted the reduction in books was "a controversial topic" but books and other library services have gone digital.

She said some books currently held at the Central Library in Abbey Square would be relocated to the council's other libraries in Southcote, Whitley, Tilehurst and other areas.

A member of the group said: "Surely if you are building a new library you expect to have more books, not less."

Concerns were also raised about the loss of space, as the top floor of the existing library contains the Reading Voluntary Action offices.

Ms James admitted that space would be "at a premium" at the new library, but did not rule out that some space could be set aside for a voluntary organisation.

The council is due to submit a planning application for the library shortly. If approved, it is hoped the work will be completed by March 2025.