The library building in Banwell will close on Friday 31 August and the village will be served by the mobile library.  This follows a review held by North Somerset Council in 2009 to provide a more cost efficient library service to residents.

Visits to Banwell Library have decreased by 58% since the review.

Banwell’s closure coincides with the council’s plans to undertake significant repairs and improvements in the nearby and popular Winscombe Library 

The date of Banwell’s closure was agreed following talks regarding the redevelopment of Winscombe Library.  

Cllr Felicity Baker, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for libraries, said: “Planning is under way and we are close to a property solution for Winscombe. Although this will not be finalised or sorted during the next two months we are confident that we have found a solution that represents value for money and improves the facilities for the long term.”

From 6 September the mobile library will visit Banwell’s West Street car park between 2pm and 5pm every Thursday, offering residents a selection of books, including fiction, non fiction, large print, audio books and children’s books.

Computer facilities will remain available at Banwell Children’s Centre, along with access to other local libraries such as Worle and the Campus which has recently extended their opening hours.

Banwell Library members can continue to benefit from the LibrariesWest Partnership which gives them access to over 100 libraries along with ability to request and renew online from the comfort of the their home. All books can be requested this way and arranged to be picked up from the mobile library. More information available at  www.librarieswest.org.uk

Public transport running between Banwell and Winscombe includes the Bakers Dolphin number 121 bus and First Bus 123. Anyone over 60 or disabled are entitled to free travel on local bus services at off-peak times when able to show a valid concessionary travel pass and children under the age of five can travel free on our services.


For customers who are unable to leave their homes or require additional assistance the Library Service also offers a Home Library Service, whereby volunteers deliver books directly. 

More information about the Banwell Library closure and how residents can access the library service is available on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/banwelllibraryFAQs

ENDS

Note to news editors:  The web link www.n-somerset.gov.uk/banwelllibraryFAQs will be live from Wednesday 15 August.